Bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding proteins

ABSTRACT

Described herein are binding proteins that specifically bind to human CD33, and in particular to bispecific binding proteins that specifically bind to human CD33 and human CD3. Also described herein are bispecific tandem diabodies that bind to CD33 and CD33, and their uses for immunotherapy of CD33+ cancers, diseases and conditions such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/937,494, filed Nov. 10, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/642,497, filed Mar. 9, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,212,225, issued Jan. 7, 2016), and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/111,470, filed Feb. 3, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/019,795, filed Jul. 1, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an acute leukemia in adults and children. CD33 is expressed on the majority of myeloblasts in AML. CD33, in some reports, is generally restricted to early multilineage myeloid progenitors and absent from normal pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are binding proteins that specifically bind to human CD33, and bispecific binding proteins that specifically bind to human CD33 and human CD3. Also provided herein are anti-CD33 variable domains and anti-CD3 variable domains for generating a number of bispecific CD33/CD3 binding proteins, such as, for example, tandem diabodies. Also further provided herein are bispecific tandem diabodies that bind to CD33 and CD3 and their use for immunotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other hematologic malignancies, disorders or conditions.

In particular, the binding proteins are provided that show binding to both human as well as cynomolgus monkey CD33. It is demonstrated in the examples that these CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies can re-direct polyclonal CD3⁺ T-cells from healthy donors, as well as autologous T-cells from AML patients, to effectively lyse CD33⁺ AML cells at low E:T cell ratios. In this process, which is dependent on the presence of both CD33⁺ target cells and T-cells, re-directed T-cells are activated, as shown by induction of CD25 and CD69, and stimulated to proliferate. The anti-AML effect of these tandem diabodies is shown to be dependent on the concentration of the antibodies used as well as on the E:T cell ratio. The tandem diabody is tetravalent and has two binding sites for CD33 and two binding sites for CD3. A particular feature of the CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies described herein is that they facilitate potent and efficient apoptosis as a result of bivalent binding that confers avidity to each antigen, namely CD33 and CD3.

In summary, the provided CD33/CD3 binding proteins described herein, in particular tandem diabodies, induce potent cytolysis of CD33⁺ leukemic cells and primary AML cells in vitro. Examples of bispecific CD33/CD3 binding proteins in the antibody format of tandem diabodies demonstrate cytolytic activity in vivo in cell lines, primary AML cells and in in vivo models with AML cell lines and with patient derived primary AML cells. This indicates high in vivo activity especially noteworthy in the stringent AML PDX model. Further, examples of bispecific CD33/CD3 binding proteins in the antibody format of tandem diabodies demonstrate cytolytic activity ex vivo in samples from patients at all stages of AML, including newly diagnosed, relapsed and refractory patients.

Furthermore, these CD33/CD3 binding proteins described herein are able to achieve a significant lysis of CD33 expressing cells within about four hours. CD33/CD3 binding proteins accordingly exhibit high cytotoxicity at low CD33 densities on the cell surface as well as a high cytotoxicity at low effector: target (E:T) ratios. In addition, CD33/CD3 binding proteins described herein exhibit not only potent CD33 and CD3 binding affinities to the human proteins, but show also excellent crossreactivity with the respective cynomolgus monkey proteins, for example with human:cynomolgous K_(D) ratios between 5 and 0.2. Furthermore, the CD33/CD3 binding proteins described herein show no significant induction of cytokine release in the absence of CD33⁺ target cells which is an essential component of the safety profile of these molecules. Moreover, the CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies described herein belong to the class of molecules that have half-lives in the approximate range of 8-24 h, which should allow convenient dosing.

In one aspect, provided herein are CD33 binding proteins that specifically bind to an epitope of human CD33. In some embodiments, the binding proteins comprise a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain that is derived from human.

In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein has at least one binding site comprising a light chain variable domain and a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the light chain variable domain comprises a CDR1 consisting of the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:21-27, a CDR2 consisting of the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:28-34 and a CDR3 consisting of the sequence of the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:35-41.

In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein has at least one binding site comprising a light chain variable domain and a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain variable domain comprises a CDR1 consisting of the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:42-48, a CDR2 consisting of the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:49-55 and a CDR3 consisting of a sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:56-63.

In certain instances, the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of the light chain variable domain is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:21, 28 and 35; SEQ ID NOs:22, 29 and 36; SEQ ID NOs:23, 30 and 37; SEQ ID NOs:24, 31 and 38; SEQ ID NOs:25, 32 and 39; SEQ ID NOs:26, 33 and 40; and SEQ ID NOs:27, 34 and 41.

In certain instances, the CDR1, CDR2 and CD3 of the heavy chain variable domain is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:42, 49 and 56; SEQ ID NOs:43, 50 and 57; SEQ ID NOs:43, 50 and 58; SEQ ID NOs:43, 50 and 59; SEQ ID NOs:43, 50 and 60; SEQ ID NOs:44, 51 and 61; SEQ ID NOs:45, 52 and 62; SEQ ID NOs:46, 53 and 63; SEQ ID NOs:47, 54 and 63; and SEQ ID NOs:48, 55 and 63.

In certain instances, the human CD33 binding site of a variable heavy chain domain and a variable light chain domain is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:11; SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:12; SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:13; SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:14; SEQ ID NO:5 and SEQ ID NO:15; SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:16; SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:17; SEQ ID NO:8 and SEQ ID NO:18; SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:19; and SEQ ID NO:10 and SEQ ID NO:20.

In some embodiments, the CD33 epitope is within ₆₂DQEVQEETQ₇₀ (SEQ ID NO:94) amino acid residues 62-70 of SEQ ID NO:93) of human CD33.

In any of the above embodiments, the CD33 binding protein comprises at least one further functional domain. In some instances, the functional domain is an effector domain that binds to an effector cell. In certain instances, the effector domain is a CD3 binding site comprising at least one antibody variable heavy chain domain and at least one variable light chain domain forming an antigen binding site for human CD3.

In certain instances, the CD3 binding site comprises a heavy chain variable domain comprising a CDR1 sequence of STYAMN (SEQ ID NO:72), a CDR2 sequence of RIRSKYNNYATYYADSVKD (SEQ ID NO:73) and a CDR3 sequence of HGNFGNSYVSWFAY (SEQ ID NO:74). In other instances, the CD3 binding site comprises a light chain variable domain comprising a CDR1 sequence of RSSTGAVTTSNYAN (SEQ ID NO:90), a CDR2 sequence of GTNKRAP (SEQ ID NO:91), and a CDR3 sequence of ALWYSNL (SEQ ID NO:92).

In certain instances, the CD3 binding site comprises a heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO:64 and a variable light chain domain of SEQ ID NO:68; a heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO:65 and a variable light chain domain of SEQ ID NO:69; a heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO:66 and a variable light chain domain of SEQ ID NO:70; or a heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO:67 and a variable light chain domain of SEQ ID NO:71.

In any of the above embodiments, the CD33 binding protein is a dimeric protein. In any of the above embodiments, the CD33 binding protein is multifunctional.

In certain instances, the multifunctional CD33 binding protein has bispecificity for CD33 and CD3, wherein the binding specificities are provided by heavy chain variable domain and light chain variable domains for CD33 and CD3 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 65 and 69; SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 65 and 69; SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 65 and 69; SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 65 and 69; SEQ ID NOs:1, 11, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 66 and 70; SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 66 and 70; SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 66 and 70; SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 67 and 71; SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:7, 17, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:6, 16, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:6, 16, 67 and 71; SEQ ID NOs:8, 18, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:9, 19, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:9, 19, 67 and 71; and SEQ ID NOs:10, 20, 64 and 68.

In another aspect, provided herein are bispecific, antigen-binding tandem diabodies specific to human CD3 and human CD33. In some embodiments, the tandem diabodies comprise a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, each polypeptide having at least four variable chain domains linked one after another, wherein each polypeptide comprises a variable heavy chain domain specific for human CD33; a variable light chain domain specific for human CD33; a variable heavy chain domain specific for human CD3, and a variable light chain domain specific for human CD3 and wherein in each polypeptide the four variable chain domains are linked with one after another by peptide linkers L1, L2 and L3 in the order of VL(CD3)-L1-VH(CD33)-L2-VL(CD33)-L3-VH(CD3); VH(CD3)-L1-VL(CD33)-L2-VH(CD33)-L3-VL(CD3); VL(CD33)-L1-VH(CD3)-L2-VL(CD3)-L3-VH(CD33); or VH(CD33)-L1-VL(CD3)-L2-VH(CD3)-L3-VL(CD33).

In some embodiments, the VL domain specific to human CD33 comprises a CDR1 consisting of the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:21-27, a CDR2 consisting of the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:28-34 and a CDR3 consisting of the sequence of the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:35-41.

In some embodiments, the VH domain specific to human CD33 comprises a CDR1 consisting of the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:42-48, a CDR2 consisting of the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:49-55 and a CDR3 consisting of a sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:56-63.

In some embodiments, the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of the VL domain specific to human CD33 are sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:21, 28 and 35; SEQ ID NOs:22, 29 and 36; SEQ ID NOs:23, 30 and 37; SEQ ID NOs:24, 31 and 38; SEQ ID NOs:25, 32 and 39; SEQ ID NOs:26, 33 and 40; and SEQ ID NOs:27, 34 and 41.

In some embodiments, the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of the VH domain specific to human CD33 are sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:42, 49 and 56; SEQ ID NOs:43, 50 and 57; SEQ ID NOs:43, 50 and 58; SEQ ID NOs:43, 50 and 59; SEQ ID NOs:43, 50 and 60; SEQ ID NOs:44, 51 and 61; SEQ ID NOs:45, 52 and 62; SEQ ID NOs:46, 53 and 63; SEQ ID NOs:47, 54 and 63; and SEQ ID NOs:48, 55 and 63.

In some embodiments, the VL and VH domains specific to CD33 are sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:11; SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:12; SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:13; SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:14; SEQ ID NO:5 and SEQ ID NO:15; SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:16; SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:17; SEQ ID NO:8 and SEQ ID NO:18; SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:19; and SEQ ID NO:10 and SEQ ID NO:20.

In some embodiments, the VH domain specific for human CD3 comprises a CDR1 sequence of STYAMN (SEQ ID NO:72), a CDR2 sequence of RIRSKYNNYATYYADSVKD (SEQ ID NO:73) and a CDR3 sequence of HGNFGNSYVSWFAY (SEQ ID NO:74) or HGNFGNSYVSYFAY (SEQ ID NO:75).

In some embodiments, the VL domain specific for human CD3 comprises a CDR1 sequence of RSSTGAVTTSNYAN (SEQ ID NO:90), a CDR2 sequence of GTNKRAP (SEQ ID NO:91), and a CDR3 sequence of ALWYSNL (SEQ ID NO:92).

In some embodiments, the VL and VH domains specific to CD3 are sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:64 and SEQ ID NO:68; SEQ ID NO:65 and SEQ ID NO:69; SEQ ID NO:66 and SEQ ID NO:70; and SEQ ID NO:67 and SEQ ID NO:71.

In some embodiments, each polypeptide comprises four variable chain domains selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 65 and 69; SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 65 and 69; SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 65 and 69; SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 65 and 69; SEQ ID NOs:1, 11, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 66 and 70; SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 66 and 70; SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 66 and 70; SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 67 and 71; SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:7, 17, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:6, 16, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:6, 16, 67 and 71; SEQ ID NOs:8, 18, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:9, 19, 64 and 68; SEQ ID NOs:9, 19, 67 and 71; and SEQ ID NOs:10, 20, 64 and 68.

In some embodiments, linkers L1, L2 and L3 consist of about 12 or less amino acid residues. In certain instances, linkers L1, L2 and L3 are each independently GGSGGS (SEQ ID NO:95), GGSG (SEQ ID NO:96) or GGSGG (SEQ ID NO:97). In other instances, linkers L1 and L3 are GGSGGS (SEQ ID NO:95) and linker L2 is GGSG (SEQ ID NO:96) or GGSGG (SEQ ID NO:97).

In some embodiments, a bispecific tandem diabody has a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:98-121. In other embodiments, a bispecific tandem diabody is tandem diabody 01 (SEQ ID NO:98), 02 (SEQ ID NO:99), 03 (SEQ ID NO:100), 04 (SEQ ID NO:101), 05 (SEQ ID NO:102), 06 (SEQ ID NO:103), 07 (SEQ ID NO:104), 08 (SEQ ID NO:105), 09 (SEQ ID NO:106), 10 (SEQ ID NO:107), 11 (SEQ ID NO:108), 12 (SEQ ID NO:109), 13 (SEQ ID NO:110), 14 (SEQ ID NO:111), 15 (SEQ ID NO:112), 16 (SEQ ID NO:113), 17 (SEQ ID NO:114), 18 (SEQ ID NO:115), 19 (SEQ ID NO:116), 20 (SEQ ID NO:117), 21 (SEQ ID NO:118), 22 (SEQ ID NO:119), 23 (SEQ ID NO:120), or 24 (SEQ ID NO:121).

In some embodiments, the bispecific, antigen-binding tandem diabodies possess binding K_(D) of 10 nM or less to CD33 on CD33⁺ tumor cells selected from HL-60, KG-1, and U-937.

In some embodiments, the bispecific, antigen-binding tandem diabodies specifically binds to an epitope of human CD33 which is within ₆₂DQEVQEETQ₇₀ (SEQ ID NO:94) (amino acid residues 62-70 of SEQ ID NO:93) of human CD33.

In another aspect, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding a CD33 binding protein or bispecific, tandem diabody of any of the above embodiments. In another aspect, provided herein are vectors comprising the described polynucleotides. In another aspect, provided herein are host cells transformed with the described vectors.

In yet another aspect, provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a CD33 binding protein or bispecific, tandem diabody of any of the above embodiments and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In yet another aspect, provided herein methods of producing a CD33 binding protein or bispecific, tandem diabody of any of the above embodiments comprising introducing into a host cell a polynucleotide encoding a CD33 binding protein or bispecific, tandem diabody of any of the above embodiments, or a vector comprising the described polynucleotides, culturing the host cell under conditions whereby the CD33 binding protein or the bispecific tandem diabody is expressed, and purifying the expressed CD33 binding protein or the bispecific tandem diabody.

Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of a CD33⁺ cancer comprising the administration of a bispecific, tandem diabody of any of the above embodiments to an individual suffering from CD33⁺ cancer. In some embodiments, the CD33⁺ cancer is acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia, myeloid sarcoma, multiple myeloma, acute lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic lymphoma or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). In some embodiments, the CD33⁺ cancer is acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In some embodiments, the CD33⁺ cancer is multiple myeloma. In some embodiments, the CD33⁺ cancer is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprising the administration of a bispecific, tandem diabody of any of the above embodiments to an individual suffering from AML. In some embodiments, the AML is AML with Recurrent Genetic Abnormalities, AML with myelodysplasia-related changes, Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms, Myeloid sarcoma, Myeloid proliferations related to Down syndrome, Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, or AML not otherwise categorized. In some embodiments, the AML is AML-M0, AML-M1, AML-M2, AML-M3, AML-M4, AML-M5, AML-M6, or AML-M7. In further embodiments, the AML is newly diagnosed, relapsed, or refractory.

Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of myeloid dysplastic syndrome (MDS) comprising the administration of a bispecific, tandem diabody of any of the above embodiments to an individual suffering from MDS.

Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of myeloproliferative disease (MPD) comprising the administration of a bispecific, tandem diabody of any of the above embodiments to an individual suffering from MPD.

Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) comprising the administration of a bispecific, tandem diabody of any of the above embodiments to an individual suffering from CMML.

Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of immune suppression by myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) comprising the administration of a bispecific, tandem diabody in any of the above embodiments to an individual suffering from immune suppression.

In the above methods for the treatment, in certain instances, the methods further comprise administering cytarabine, azacitidine, decitabine, an anthracycline (e.g., daunorubicin, idarubicin, doxorubicin, and the like), amsacrine, fludarabine, clofarabine, cladribine, nelarabine, methotrexate, bortezomib, carfilzomib, melphalan, ibrutinib, thalidomide, lenalidomide, pomalidomide, apremilast, an epipodophyllotoxin (e.g., etoposide, teniposide, and the like), an anthracenedione (e.g., mitoxantrone, pixantrone, losoxantrone, piroxantrone, ametantrone and the like), an anti-CD20 agent (e.g., rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, and the like) or combinations thereof.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 Schematic representation of the gene organization and a domain order of CD3/CD33 tandem diabodies (TandAb®). Tandem diabodies are expressed as a single polypeptide comprised of four variable domains connected via short peptide linkers L1, L2 and L3. Following expression, two monomeric polypeptides associate non-covalently head-to-tail to form the functional homodimeric tandem diabody molecule. L1, L2, L3: Linker; V_(H): Heavy chain variable domain; V_(L): Light chain variable domain.

FIG. 2 CD3 engaging tandem diabody and its mode of action. Tandem diabodies are tetravalent bispecific proteins that can engage cytotoxic T-cells via binding to CD3. The tandem diabody binds to a CD33⁺ tumor cell with two of four binding domains and to CD3 with the other two binding domains. This T-cell/target cell binding (crosslinking) event promotes activation of the T-cell and promotes the subsequent destruction of the tumor cell via ADCC.

FIG. 3 Domain order variants of CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies. Variations of domain order of variable heavy (VH) and variable light (VL) chains within gene sequences encoding tandem diabodies allows production of antibodies with CD33 and CD3 specificities located on the inside or outside of the molecule. Domain specificities, location of signal sequences (ss) and linkers (L1, L2, L3) and affinity tags (His) as well as 5′- and 3′-ends are indicated.

FIG. 4 Comparison of positively enriched vs. negatively selected healthy donor T-cells. KG-1a cells were incubated with 10 pM (approx. 1 ng/mL) and 25 pM (approx. 2.5 ng/mL) of one of 10 selected tandem diabodies and either negatively selected healthy donor T-cells or positively selected healthy donor T-cells at an E:T cell ratio of 1:1 or 3:1, as indicated. After 48 hours, cell counts were determined and cytotoxicity was assessed with DAPI staining. Results are shown as mean±SEM for the percentage of dead cells (upper panels) and the percentage of specific cytotoxicity (lower panels) from 3 independent experiments performed in duplicate wells.

FIG. 5 Analysis strategy. Scatter and histogram plots from one healthy donor T-cell aliquot and 1 representative AML cell line (HL-60) and primary AML specimen (AMP002) each illustrating the strategy pursued to determine tandem diabody-induced cytotoxicity. FSC, forward scatter; SSC, side scatter.

FIG. 6 Screening cytotoxicity assays in CD33+ AML cell lines. Parental HL-60 (A,B) and KG-1a (C,D) cells were incubated with 10 pM (approx. 1 ng/mL) and 25 pM (approx. 2.5 ng/mL) of one of 22 CD33/CD3 tandem diabody molecules or a non-binding control tandem diabody (00) and healthy donor T-cells at an E:T cell ratio of either 1:1 (A,C) or 5:1 (B,D) as indicated. After 48 hours, cell counts were determined and cytotoxicity was assessed with DAPI staining to quantify drug-specific cytotoxicity. Results are shown as mean±SEM for the percentage of DAPI⁺ cells from 3 independent experiments performed in duplicate wells. Qualitatively similar results were obtained when cytotoxicity was expressed as the percentage of specific cytotoxicity.

FIG. 7 Selection of primary AML specimens for study. Frozen aliquots from a total of primary human AML specimens were obtained for analysis. The percentage of AML blasts upon thaw was determined by flow cytometry based on CD45/side-scatter properties. Viability of the specimens was determined upon thaw as well after 48 hours in cytokine-containing liquid culture (without addition of tandem diabody molecules or healthy donor T-cells) via flow cytometry using DAPI as live/dead cell marker. Results for viability after thawing as well as after 48 hours are depicted for all specimens, which had >58% AML blasts. Square: Primary AML specimens that showed a viability of >50% at thaw as well as >50% after 48 hours in cytokine-containing liquid culture which were included in the final analyses.

FIG. 8 Tandem diabody-induced cytotoxicity in primary AML specimens. Primary AML specimens were incubated with 2.5 pM (approx. 250 pg/mL), 10 pM (approx. 1 ng/mL), and 25 pM (approx. 2.5 ng/mL) of one of 9 tandem diabody molecules without healthy donor T-cells added (A) or with healthy donor T-cells at an E:T cell ratio of either 1:3 (B) or 1:1 (C) as indicated. After 48 hours, cell counts were determined and cytotoxicity was assessed with DAPI staining to quantify drug-specific cytotoxicity. Results are shown as mean±SEM for the percentage of specific cytotoxicity from experiments performed in duplicate wells.

FIG. 9 Amino acid sequences

(A) sequence of extracellular domain of human CD33 (aa 18-259) (SEQ ID NO: 93);

(B) complete sequence of tandem diabody 1 (SEQ ID NO:98);

(C) complete sequence of tandem diabody 2 (SEQ ID NO:99);

(D) complete sequence of tandem diabody 3 (SEQ ID NO:100);

(E) complete sequence of tandem diabody 4 (SEQ ID NO:101);

(F) complete sequence of tandem diabody 5 (SEQ ID NO:102);

(G) complete sequence of tandem diabody 6 (SEQ ID NO:103);

(H) complete sequence of tandem diabody 7 (SEQ ID NO:104);

(I) complete sequence of tandem diabody 8 (SEQ ID NO:105);

(J) complete sequence of tandem diabody 9 (SEQ ID NO:106);

(K) complete sequence of tandem diabody 10 (SEQ ID NO:107);

(L) complete sequence of tandem diabody 11 (SEQ ID NO:108);

(M) complete sequence of tandem diabody 12 (SEQ ID NO:109);

(N) complete sequence of tandem diabody 13 (SEQ ID NO:110);

(O) complete sequence of tandem diabody 14 (SEQ ID NO:111);

(P) complete sequence of tandem diabody 15 (SEQ ID NO:112);

(Q) complete sequence of tandem diabody 16 (SEQ ID NO:113);

(R) complete sequence of tandem diabody 17 (SEQ ID NO:114);

(S) complete sequence of tandem diabody 18 (SEQ ID NO:115);

(T) complete sequence of tandem diabody 19 (SEQ ID NO:116);

(U) complete sequence of tandem diabody 20 (SEQ ID NO:117);

(B) complete sequence of tandem diabody 21 (SEQ ID NO:118);

(W) complete sequence of tandem diabody 22 (SEQ ID NO:119);

(X) complete sequence of tandem diabody 23 (SEQ ID NO:120); and

(Y) complete sequence of tandem diabody 24 (SEQ ID NO:121). Underlined sequences represent linkers L1, L2 and L3.

FIG. 10 Effect of tandem diabodies 16 and 12 on the growth of HL-60 cells in NOD/scid mice. Eight experimental groups of immunodeficient NOD/scid mice were xenotransplanted by subcutaneous injection with a suspension of 4×10⁶ HL-60 cells on day 0. Prior to injection HL-60 cells were mixed with 3×10⁶ purified T-cells from healthy donors. All animals of the experimental groups transplanted with tumor cells and T-cells received an intravenous bolus on days 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 of either vehicle (control) or tandem diabody 16 or 12 at three different dose levels as indicated (0.1 μg, 1 μg, and 10 μg). One group without effector cells and vehicle treatment served as an additional negative control.

FIG. 11 Anti-tumor activity of tandem diabody 16 in an AML Xenograft Model. NOD/scid mice were sublethally irradiated (2 Gy) and subcutaneously inoculated with 4×10⁶ HL-60 cells. On day 9 the animals received a single bolus injection of anti-asialo GM1 rabbit Ab. When tumors reached a volume between 50-150 mm³ (mean 73±11 mm³) on day 10 animals were allocated to 3 treatment groups. Groups 2 and 3 (n=8) were intraperitoneally injected with 1.5×10⁷ expanded and activated human T-cells. From day 13 to day 21 (qdxd9) animals received either tandem diabody 16 (Group 3) or vehicle into the lateral tail vein (Group 1 and Group 2).

FIG. 12 Relative amount (A) and absolute counts (B) of human AML blasts in the bone marrow (BM) and spleen of NSG mice at day 38 after treatment with 5 μg (0.25 mg/kg) or 50 μg (2.5 mg/kg) CD33/CD3 tandem diabody 12 and 16.

FIG. 13 Kinetics of CD33/CD3 tandem diabody 16-mediated target cell lysis. 1×10⁴ calcein-labeled HL-60 target cells were incubated with primary human T-cells as effector cells at an E:T ratio of 25:1 in the presence of serial dilutions of tandem diabody 16 or without antibody (w/o) for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, or 5 h. At each time point, the fluorescent calcein released from lysed target cells was used to calculated specific lysis. Mean and SD of three replicates are plotted.

FIG. 14 Kinetics of EC₅₀ and specific lysis values for CD33/CD3 tandem diabody 16. EC₅₀ values (black solid circles) and tandem diabody 16-mediated target cell lysis (open squares) were determined in calcein-release cytotoxicity assays at the indicated incubation times by non-linear regression/sigmoidal dose-response and plotted.

FIG. 15 Cytotoxic activity in newly diagnosed, relapsed and refractory AML patient samples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, described herein are binding proteins having specificity for at least CD33, preferably human CD33. In some embodiments, the CD33 binding proteins have specificity for human and cynomolgus CD33, i.e. are cross-reactive. In some embodiments, these cross-reactive binding proteins bind to human and cynomolgous CD33 with similar affinity.

CD33 is expressed on myeloid cells, for example, such as the blasts of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). For the isolation of antibody domains specific for CD33, such as human CD33, antibody libraries may be screened. For example IgM phage display libraries can be screened by employing, for example, a recombinant CD33-Fc fusion protein containing amino acids 1-243 of the extracellular domain of human CD33 (FIG. 9A, SEQ ID NO:93).

In some embodiments the CD33 binding protein has at least one CD33 binding site comprising a light chain variable domain and a heavy chain variable domain. The light chain variable domain comprises the light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 and the heavy chain variable domain comprises the heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3. In some embodiments these light chain CDRs (CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3) are selected from the human CDR sequences shown in Table 1 (SEQ ID NOs:21-41). In certain instances, the light chain CDR1 is selected from SEQ ID NOs:21-27. In certain instances, the light chain CDR2 is selected from SEQ ID NOs:28-34. In certain instances, the light chain CDR3 is selected from SEQ ID NOs:35-41.

In some embodiments these heavy chain CDRs (heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3) are selected from the human CDR sequences shown in Table 2 (SEQ ID NOs:42-63). In certain instances, the heavy chain CDR1 is selected from SEQ ID NOs:42-48. In certain instances, the heavy chain CDR2 is selected from SEQ ID NOs:49-55. In certain instances, the heavy chain CDR3 is selected from SEQ ID NOs:56-63.

In some embodiments, the light and heavy CDRs are selected without the surrounding framework sequences of the respective variable domains, which include framework sequences from other immunoglobulins or consensus framework regions, optionally are further mutated and/or replaced by other suitable framework sequences. Therefore provided herein in some embodiments, is a CD33 binding protein comprising a light chain variable domain, wherein the light chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:21; the light chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:28 and the light chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:35. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a light chain variable domain, wherein the light chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:22; the light chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:29 and the light chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:36. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a light chain variable domain, wherein the light chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:23; the light chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:30 and the light chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:37. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a light chain variable domain, wherein the light chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:24; the light chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:31 and the light chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:38. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a light chain variable domain, wherein the light chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:25; the light chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:32 and the light chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:39. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a light chain variable domain, wherein the light chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:26; the light chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:33 and the light chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:40. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a light chain variable domain, wherein the light chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:27; the light chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:34 and the light chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:41.

Also provided herein in some embodiments, is a CD33 binding protein comprising a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:42; the heavy chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:49 and the heavy chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:56. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:43; the heavy chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:50 and the heavy chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:57. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:43; the heavy chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:50 and the heavy chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:58. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:43; the heavy chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:50 and the heavy chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:59. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:43; the heavy chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:50 and the heavy chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:60. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:44; the heavy chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:51 and the heavy chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:61. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:45; the heavy chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:52 and the heavy chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:62. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:46; the heavy chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:53 and the heavy chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:63. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:47; the heavy chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:54 and the heavy chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:63. In some embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the heavy chain CDR1 is SEQ ID NO:48; the heavy chain CDR2 is SEQ ID NO:55 and the heavy chain CDR3 is SEQ ID NO:63.

In further embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a variable light chain domain selected from amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOs:1-10 shown in Table 3. In further embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a variable heavy chain domain selected from amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO:11-20 shown in Table 4. In yet further embodiments, a CD33 binding protein comprises a variable light chain domain selected from amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOs:1-10 shown in Table 3 and a variable heavy chain domain selected from amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO:11-20 shown in Table 4.

The term “binding protein” refers to an immunoglobulin derivative with antigen binding properties, i.e. immunoglobulin polypeptides or fragments thereof that contain an antigen binding site. The binding protein comprises variable domains of an antibody or fragments thereof. Each antigen-binding domain is formed by an antibody, i.e. immunoglobulin, variable heavy chain domain (VH) and an antibody variable light chain domain (VL) binding to the same epitope, whereas the variable heavy chain domain (VH) comprises three heavy chain complementarity determining regions (CDR): CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3; and the variable light chain domain (VL) comprises three light chain complementarity determining regions (CDR): CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3. In some instances, the binding protein according to some embodiments herein is devoid of immunoglobulin constant domains. In some instances, the variable light and heavy chain domains forming the antigen binding site is covalently linked with one another, e.g. by a peptide linker, or in other instances, the variable light and heavy chain domains non-covalently associate with one another to form the antigen binding site. The term “binding protein” refers also to antibody fragments or antibody derivatives including, for example, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂, Fv fragments, single-chain Fv, tandem single-chain Fv ((scFv)₂, Bi-specific T-cell engagers (BiTE®), dual affinity retargeting antibodies (DART™), diabody and tandem diabody (TandAb®). Furthermore, in certain instances, the binding protein is multivalent, i.e. has two, three or more binding sites for CD33.

TABLE 1 Amino acid sequences of anti-CD33 variable light  chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 Sequence Light Chain CDR identifier CDR Sequence CDR1 SEQ ID NO: 21 GGNNIGSTTVH SEQ ID NO: 22 SGSRSNIGSNTVN SEQ ID NO: 23 SGSSSNIGSNTVN SEQ ID NO: 24 TGSSSNIGAGYDVH SEQ ID NO: 25 SGSSSNIGSNIVN SEQ ID NO: 26 SGSSSNIGSNTVK SEQ ID NO: 27 SGSSSNIGDNVVN CDR2 SEQ ID NO: 28 DDNERPS SEQ ID NO: 29 GNNQRPS SEQ ID NO: 30 SDNQRPS SEQ ID NO: 31 GNSNRPS SEQ ID NO: 32 SNNQRPS SEQ ID NO: 33 SNNQRSS SEQ ID NO: 34 STNKRPS CDR3 SEQ ID NO: 35 QVWDSGSDH SEQ ID NO: 36 ATWDDSLIG SEQ ID NO: 37 ATWDDSLNG SEQ ID NO: 38 QSYDSSLSD SEQ ID NO: 39 AAWDDSLKG SEQ ID NO: 40 AAWDDSLNG SEQ ID NO: 41 AAWDDSLSA

TABLE 2 Amino acid sequences of anti-CD33 variable heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 Sequence Heavy Chain CDR identifier CDR Sequence CDR1 SEQ ID NO: 42 SNYGIH SEQ ID NO: 43 TSYDIN SEQ ID NO: 44 TSYYMH SEQ ID NO: 45 TSYWIG SEQ ID NO: 46 SSYAIS SEQ ID NO: 47 SSYGIS SEQ ID NO: 48 DSYAIS CDR2 SEQ ID NO: 49 LISYDGNKKFYADSVKG SEQ ID NO: 50 WMNPNSGNTGFAQKFQG SEQ ID NO: 51 GIINPSGGSTSYAQKFQG SEQ ID NO: 52 IIYPGDSDTRYSPSFQG SEQ ID NO: 53 GIYPIFGSANYAQKFQG SEQ ID NO: 54 GIIPIFGSAHYAQKFQG SEQ ID NO: 55 GIIPIFGSAHYSQKFQG CDR3 SEQ ID NO: 56 DRLESAAFDY SEQ ID NO: 57 DRANTDFSYGMDV SEQ ID NO: 58 DRAVTDYYYGMDV SEQ ID NO: 59 DRANTDYSFGMDV SEQ ID NO: 60 DRANTDYSLGMDV SEQ ID NO: 61 DVVPAAIDYYGMDV SEQ ID NO: 62 HKRGSDAFDI SEQ ID NO: 63 EYYYDSSEWAFDI

TABLE 3 Amino acid sequences of all anti-CD33 variable light chain domains (amino acid sequences of variable light chain CDRL CDR2 and CDR3 are in bold and underlined) anti-CD33 Sequence clone identifier Variable light chain (VL) domain Sequence 01 SEQ ID NO: 1 SYELTQPPSVSVAPGQTAMITC GGNNIGSTTVH WYQQKPGQAPVLVV Y DDNERPS GIPERFSGSNSGSTATLTINRVEAGDEADYYC QVWDSGSD H VVFGGGTKLTVL 02 SEQ ID NO: 2 QSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISC SGSRSNIGSNTVN WYQQLPGTAPKLLI Y GNNQRPS GVPDRFSGSKSGSSASLAISGLQSEDEADYYC ATWDDSLI G WVFGGGTKLTVL 03 SEQ ID NO: 3 QSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISC SGSRSNIGSNTVN WYQQLPGTAPKLLI Y GNNQRPS GVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAISGLQSEDEADYYC ATWDDSLI G WVFGGGTKLTVL 04 SEQ ID NO: 4 QSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISC SGSRSNIGSNTVN WYQQLPGTAPKLLI Y GNNQRPS GVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAISGLQSEDEADYYC ATWDDSLI G WVFGGGTKLTVL 05 SEQ ID NO: 5 QSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISC SGSRSNIGSNTVN WYQQLPGTAPKLLI Y GNNQRPS GVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAISGLQSEDEADYYC ATWDDSLI G WVFGGGTKLTVL 06 SEQ ID NO: 6 QSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISC SGSSSNIGSNTVN WYQQLPGTAPKLLI Y SDNQRPS GVPDRFSGSKSGSSASLAISGLQSDDEADYYCATWDDSLN GAVFGGGTKLTVL 07 SEQ ID NO: 7 QSVLTQPPSVSGAPGQRVTISC TGSSSNIGAGYDVH WYQQLPGTAPKL LIY GNSNRPS GVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAITGLQAEDEADYYC QSYDSSL SD VVFGGGTKLTVL 08 SEQ ID NO: 8 QSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISC SGSSSNIGSNIVN WYQQLPGTAPKLLIY SNNQRPS GVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAISGLQSEDEADYYC AAWDDSLKG YVFGGGTKLTVL 09 SEQ ID NO: 9 QSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISC SGSSSNIGSNTVK WYQQLPGTAPKLLI Y SNNQRSS GVPDRFSGSKSGSSASLAISGLQSEDEADYYC AAWDDSLN G YVFGGGTKLTVL 10 SEQ ID NO: 10 QSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISC SGSSSNIGDNVVN WYQQLPGTAPKLLI Y STNKRPS GVPDRFSGSKSGSSASLAISGLQSEDEADYYC AAWDDSLS A YVFGGGTKLTVL

TABLE 4 Amino acid sequence of anti-CD33 variable heavy chain domain (amino acid sequences of variable heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are in bold and underlined) anti-CD33 Sequence clone identifier Variable heavy chain (VH) domain Sequence 01 SEQ ID NO: 11 QVQLQESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFSF SNYGIH WVRQAPGKGLEWVA LISYDGNKKFYADSVKG RFAISRDTSKNTVDLQMTSLRPEDTAVYYCAK DRLESAAFDY WGQGTLVTVSS 02 SEQ ID NO: 12 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTF TSYDIN WVRQAPGQGLEWM G WMNPNSGNTGFAQKFQG RVTMTRDTSTSTVYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYC AR DRANTDFSYGMDV WGQGTLVTVSS 03 SEQ ID NO: 13 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTF TSYDIN WVRQAPGQGLEWM G WMNPNSGNTGFAQKFQG RVTMTRDTSTSTVYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYC AR DRAVTDYYYGMDV WGQGTLVTVSS 04 SEQ ID NO: 14 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTF TSYDIN WVRQAPGQGLEWM G WMNPNSGNTGFAQKFQG RVTMTRDTSTSTVYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYC AR DRANTDYSFGMDV WGQGTLVTVSS 05 SEQ ID NO: 15 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTF TSYDIN WVRQAPGQGLEWM G WMNPNSGNTGFAQKFQG RVTMTRDTSTSTVYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYC AR DRANTDYSLGMDV WGQGTLVTVSS 06 SEQ ID NO: 16 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTF TSYYMH WVRQAPGQGLEW M GIINPSGGSTSYAQKFQG RVTMTRDTSTSTVYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYC AR DVVPAAIDYYGMDV WGQGTTVTVSS 07 SEQ ID NO: 17 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGESLKISCKGSGYSF TSYWIG WVRQMPGKGLEWM G IIYPGDSDTRYSPSFQG QVTISADKSISTAYLQWSSLKASDTAMYYCAR HKRGSDAFDI WGQGTTVTVSS 08 SEQ ID NO: 18 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGGTF SSYAIS WVRQAPGQGLEWMG GIYPIFGSANYAQKFQG RVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAR E YYYDSSEWAFDI WGQGTLVTVSS 09 SEQ ID NO: 19 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGGTF SSYGIS WVRQAPGQGLEWM G GIIPIFGSAHYAQKFQG RVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAR EYYYDSSEWAFDI WGQGTLVTVSS 10 SEQ ID NO: 20 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGGTF DSYAIS WVRQAPGQGLEWM G GIIPIFGSAHYSQKFQG RVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCARE YYYDSSEWAFDIWGQGTLVTVSS

In some embodiments, a binding protein conferring specificity to CD33 is selected from one of the following combinations of a variable heavy chain domain and a variable light chain domain forming the human CD33 binding site shown in Table 3 and in Table 4. Non-limiting examples include (i) SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:11, (ii) SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:12, (iii) SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:13, (iv) SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:14, (v) SEQ ID NO:5 and SEQ ID NO:15, (vi) SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:16, (vii) SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:17, (viii) SEQ ID NO:8 and SEQ ID NO:18, (ix) SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:19, and (x) SEQ ID NO:10 and SEQ ID NO:20.

Also described herein are binding proteins that not only have specificity for CD33, but which also have at least one further functional domain. In a further embodiment at least one further functional domain is an effector domain. An “effector domain” comprises a binding site of an antibody specific for an effector cell, which can stimulate or trigger cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, antigen presentation, cytokine release. Such effector cells are, for example, but not limited to, T-cells. In particular, the effector domain comprises at least one antibody variable heavy chain domain and at least one variable light chain domain forming an antigen binding site for an antigen on T-cells, such as, for example, human CD3.

Thus, in some embodiments, the CD33 binding protein is multifunctional. The term multifunctional as used herein means that a binding protein exhibits two or more different biological functions. For example, the different biological functions are different specificities for different antigens. In certain instances, the multifunctional CD33 binding protein is multispecific, i.e. has binding specificity to CD33 and one or more further antigens. In certain instances, the binding protein is bispecific with specificities for CD33 and CD3. Such bispecific binding proteins include, for example, bispecific monoclonal antibodies of the classes IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG or IgM, diabodies, single-chain diabodies (scDb), tandem single chain Fv (scFv)2, for example Bi-specific T-cell engagers (BiTE®), dual affinity retargeting antibodies (DART™), tandem diabodies (TandAb®), and flexibodies.

In certain embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has specificity for human CD3 and, in some instances, cynomolgus CD3. Examples of such a binding site are polypeptides comprising the VH domain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 from the sequences shown in Table 5 (SEQ ID NOs:64-67) and VL domain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 from the sequence shown in Table 6 (SEQ ID NOs:68-71). In certain instances, a CD3 binding site is the combination of the variable heavy chain domain of SEQ ID NO:64 and the variable light chain domain of SEQ ID NO:68. In certain instances, a CD3 binding site is the combination of the variable heavy chain domain of SEQ ID NO:65 and the variable light chain domain of SEQ ID NO:69. In certain instances, a CD3 binding site is the combination of the variable heavy chain domain of SEQ ID NO:66 and the variable light chain domain of SEQ ID NO:70. In certain instances, a CD3 binding site is the combination of the variable heavy chain domain of SEQ ID NO:67 and the variable light chain domain of SEQ ID NO:71.

TABLE 5 Amino acid sequence of an anti-CD3 variable heavy chain domain (amino acid sequences of variable heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are in bold and underlined) anti-CD3 VH domain Sequence SEQ ID NO: 64 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTF STYAMN WVRQAPGKGLEWVG RIRSKYNNY CD3-01 ATYYADSVKD RFTISRDDSKNSLYLQMNSLKTEDTAVYYCAR HGNFGNSYVSYFAY WG QGTLVTVSS SEQ ID NO: 65 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTF STYAMN WVRQAPGKGLEWVG RIRSKYNNY CD3-02 ATYYADSVKD RFTISRDDSKNSLYLQMNSLKTEDTAVYYCAR HGNFGNSYVSWFAY WG QGTLVTVSS SEQ ID NO: 66 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTF STYAMN WVRQAPGKGLEWVG RIRSKYNNY CD3-03 ATYYADSVKD RFTISRDDSKNSLYLQMNSLKTEDTAVYYCAR HGNFGNSYVSWFAY WG QGTLVTVSS SEQ ID NO: 67 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTF STYAMN WVRQAPGKGLEWVG RIRSKYNNY CD3-04 ATYYADSVKD RFTISRDDSKNSLYLQMNSLKTEDTAVYYCAR HGNFGNSYVSWFAY WG QGTLVTVSS

TABLE 6 Amino acid sequence of an anti-CD3 variable light chain domain (amino acid sequences of variable light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are in bold and underlined) anti-CD3 VL domain Sequence SEQ ID NO: 68 DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITC RSSTGAVTTSNYAN WVQQKPGKAPKALIG GTNKRAP CD3-01 GVPSRFSGSLIGDKATLTISSLQPEDFATYYC ALWYSNL WVFGQGTKVEIK SEQ ID NO: 69 DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITC RSSTGAVTTSNYAN WVQQKPGKAPKGLIG GTNKRAP CD3-02 GVPARFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYC ALWYSNL WVFGQGTKVEIK SEQ ID NO: 70 DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITC RSSTGAVTTSNYAN WVQQKPGKAPKGLIG GTNKRAP CD3-03 GVPSRFSGSLIGDKATLTISSLQPEDFATYYC ALWYSNL WVFGQGTKVEIK SEQ ID NO: 71 DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITC RSSTGAVTTSNYAN WVQQKPGKAPKGLIG GTNKRAP CD3-04 GVPSRFSGSLIGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYC ALWYSNL WVFGQGTKVEIK

In further embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has a variable heavy chain domain comprising a CDR1 sequence of STYAMN (SEQ ID NO:72). In further embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has a variable heavy chain domain comprising a CDR2 sequence of RIRSKYNNYATYYADSVKD (SEQ ID NO:73). In further embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has a variable heavy chain domain comprising a CDR3 sequence of HGNFGNSYVSWFAY (SEQ ID NO:74). In further embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has a variable heavy chain domain comprising a CDR3 sequence of HGNFGNSYVSYFAY (SEQ ID NO:75). In yet further embodiments, the CD3 binding site has a variable heavy chain domain comprising a CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NOs:72-74 respectively. In yet further embodiments, the CD3 binding site has a variable heavy chain domain comprising a CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NOs:72, 73 and 75 respectively.

In further embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has a variable heavy chain domain comprising a CDR1 sequence selected from the group consisting of NTYAMN (SEQ ID NO:76), NTYAMH (SEQ ID NO:77) and NKYAMN (SEQ ID NO:78). In further embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has a variable heavy chain domain comprising a CDR2 sequence selected from the group consisting of RIRNKYNNYATYYADSVKD (SEQ ID NO:79), RIRNKYNNYATEYADSVKD (SEQ ID NO:80), RIRSKYNNYATEYAASVKD (SEQ ID NO:81), RIRNKYNNYATEYAASVKD (SEQ ID NO:82), RIRSKYNNYATYYADSVKG (SEQ ID NO:83) and RIRSKYNNYATEYADSVKS (SEQ ID NO:84). In further embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has a variable heavy chain domain comprising a CDR3 sequence selected from the group consisting of HGNFGDSYVSWFAY (SEQ ID NO:85), HGNFGNTYVSWFAY (SEQ ID NO:86), HGNFGCSYVSWFAY (SEQ ID NO:87), HGNFGNSYISYWAY (SEQ ID NO:88) and HGNFGNSYVSFFAY (SEQ ID NO:89).

In yet further embodiments, the CD3 binding site has a variable heavy chain domain comprising a CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NOs:76, 73 and 74 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:76, 79 and 74 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:76, 80 and 74 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:76, 81 and 74 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:76, 82 and 74 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:76, 83 and 74 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:72, 83 and 74 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:72, 83 and 85 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:76, 83 and 86 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:77, 83 and 74 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:72, 83 and 87 respectively, SEQ ID NOs:78, 73 and 88 respectively or SEQ ID NOs:78, 84 and 89 respectively.

In further embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has a variable light chain domain comprising a CDR1 sequence of RSSTGAVTTSNYAN (SEQ ID NO:90). In further embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has a variable light chain domain comprising a CDR2 sequence of GTNKRAP (SEQ ID NO:91). In further embodiments, the CD3 binding site of a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has a variable light chain domain comprising a CDR3 sequence of ALWYSNL (SEQ ID NO:92). In yet further embodiments, the CD3 binding site has a variable light chain domain comprising a CDR1, CD2 and CD3 sequence of SEQ ID NOs:90-92 respectively.

In certain instances, the CD3 binding site has a high affinity to CD3. Alternatively, in other instances, the CDR1, CDR2, CDR3 from the heavy-chain domain as well as the light-chain domain or, optionally, the variable light-chain domains and variable heavy-chain domains is derived from other CD3 antibodies, such as, for example UCHT1, muromonab-CD3 (OKT3), otelixizumab (TRX4), teplizumab (MGA031), visilizumab (Nuvion), and the like.

In another aspect, described herein are CD33 binding proteins as well as the bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding proteins that are humanized or fully human, i.e. of human origin.

In some embodiments, a bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein has one of the following combinations providing CD33 and CD3 specificity by variable light and heavy chain domains for CD33 and CD3: include, but are not limited to, (i) SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 65 and 69, (ii) SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 65 and 69, (iii) SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 65 and 69, (iv) SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 65 and 69, (v) SEQ ID NOs:1, 11, 64 and 68, (vi) SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 64 and 68, (vii) SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 66 and 70, (viii) SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 66 and 70, (ix) SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 66 and 70, and (x) SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 64 and 68, (xi) SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 67 and 71, (xii) SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 64 and 68, (xiii) SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 64 and 68, (xiv) SEQ ID NOs:7, 17, 64 and 68, (xv) SEQ ID NOs:6, 16, 64 and 68, (xvi) SEQ ID NOs:6, 16, 67 and 71, (xvii) SEQ ID NOs:8, 18, 64 and 68, (xviii) SEQ ID NOs:9, 19, 64 and 68; (xix) SEQ ID NOs:9, 19, 67 and 71, and (xx) SEQ ID NOs:10, 20, 64 and 68.

Conserved Variants of CDR Sequences and Heavy and Light Chain Domains

In alternative embodiments, the heavy and light chain domains incorporate immunologically active homologues or variants of the CDR sequences described herein. Accordingly in some embodiments, a CDR sequence in a heavy or light chain domain that binds to CD33 or CD3 is similar to, but not identical to, the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 21-63 or 72-92. In certain instances, a CDR variant sequence has a sequence identity of 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 87%, 86%, 85%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, or 80% compared to the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 21-63 or 72-90 and which is immunologically active.

In further instances, a CDR variant sequence incorporates 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 conserved amino acid substitutions. Conservative substitutions include amino acid substitutions that substitute a given amino acid with another amino acid of similar characteristics and further include, among the aliphatic amino acids interchange of alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine; interchange of the hydroxyl residues serine and threonine, exchange of the acidic residues aspartate and glutamate, substitution between the amide residues asparagine and glutamine, exchange of the basic residues lysine and arginine, and replacements among the aromatic residues phenylalanine and tyrosine.

In yet further instances, a CDR variant sequence incorporates substitutions that enhance properties of the CDR such as increase in stability, resistance to proteases and/or binding affinities to CD33 or CD3.

In other instances, a CDR variant sequence is modified to change non-critical residues or residues in non-critical regions. Amino acids that are not critical can be identified by known methods, such as affinity maturation, CDR walking, site-directed mutagenesis, crystallization, nuclear magnetic resonance, photoaffinity labeling, or alanine-scanning mutagenesis.

In further alternative embodiments, the CD33 and CD3 binding proteins comprise heavy and light chain domains that are immunologically active homologues or variants of heavy and light chain domain sequences provided herein. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a CD33 and CD3 binding protein comprises a heavy or light chain domain sequence that is similar to, but not identical to, the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NOs:1-20 or 64-71. In certain instances, a variant heavy or light chain domain sequence has a sequence identity of 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 87%, 86%, 85%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, or 80% compared to the sequence of SEQ ID NOs:1-20 or 64-71 and which is immunologically active.

In further instances, a variant heavy or light chain domain sequence incorporates 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 conserved amino acid substitutions. Conservative substitutions include amino acid substitutions that substitute a given amino acid with another amino acid of similar characteristics and further include, among the aliphatic amino acids interchange of alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine; interchange of the hydroxyl residues serine and threonine, exchange of the acidic residues aspartate and glutamate, substitution between the amide residues asparagine and glutamine, exchange of the basic residues lysine and arginine, and replacements among the aromatic residues phenylalanine and tyrosine.

In yet further instances, a variant heavy or light chain domain sequence incorporates substitutions that enhance properties of the CDR such as increase in stability, resistance to proteases and/or binding affinities to CD33 or CD3.

In other instances, a variant heavy or light chain domain sequence is modified to change non-critical residues or residues in non-critical regions. Amino acids that are not critical can be identified by known methods, such as affinity maturation, CDR walking, site-directed mutagenesis, crystallization, nuclear magnetic resonance, photoaffinity labeling, or alanine-scanning mutagenesis.

CD33 and CD3 Bispecific and Tandem Diabodies

In another aspect, a CD33 binding protein or the bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein is a dimer, i.e. comprises two polypeptides with antigen binding sites for CD33 and CD3.

Also provided herein in another aspect, is a dimeric and bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding protein in the format of a tandem diabody (TandAb®). Such tandem diabodies are constructed by linking four antibody variable binding domains (two heavy-chain variable domains (VH) and two light-chain variable domains (VL) in a single gene construct (FIG. 1) enabling homo-dimerization. In such tandem diabodies the linker length is such that it prevents intramolecular pairing of the variable domains so that the molecule cannot fold back upon itself to form a single-chain diabody, but rather is forced to pair with the complementary domains of another chain. The domains are also arranged such that the corresponding VH and VL domains pair during this dimerization. Following expression from a single gene construct, two identical polypeptide chains fold head-to-tail forming a functional non-covalent homodimer of approximately 105 kDa (FIG. 1). Despite the absence of intermolecular covalent bonds, the homodimer is highly stable once formed, remains intact and does not revert back to the monomeric form.

Tandem diabodies have a number of properties that provide advantages over traditional monoclonal antibodies and other smaller bispecific molecules. Tandem diabodies contain only antibody variable domains and therefore are contemplated to lack side effects or non-specific interactions that may be associated with an Fc moiety. For example, Fc receptors which can bind to Fc domains are found on numerous cell types such as white blood cells (e.g., basophils, B-cells, eosinophils, natural killer cells, neutrophils and the like) or Kuppfer cells. Because tandem diabodies allow for bivalent binding to each of CD33 and CD3, the avidity is the same as that of an IgG. The size of a tandem diabody, at approximately 105 kDa, is smaller than that of an IgG, which may allow for enhanced tumor penetration. However, this size is well above the renal threshold for first-pass clearance, offering a pharmacokinetic advantage compared with smaller bispecific formats based on antibody-binding domains or non-antibody scaffolds. Moreover tandem diabodies are advantageous over other bispecific binding proteins such as BiTE or DART molecules based on this pharmacokinetic and avidity properties resulting in longer intrinsic half-lives and rapid cytotoxicity. Tandem diabodies are well expressed in host cells, for example, mammalian CHO cells. It is contemplated that robust upstream and downstream manufacturing process is available for tandem diabodies.

The CD33 and CD3 bispecific tandem diabodies described herein are designed to allow specific targeting of CD33⁺ tumor cells by recruiting cytotoxic T-cells. This improves ADCC (antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity) as compared to full length antibodies directed to a sole antigen and are not capable of directly recruiting cytotoxic T-cells. In contrast, by engaging CD3 molecules expressed specifically on these cells, the tandem diabody can crosslink cytotoxic T-cells with CD33⁺ tumor cells in a highly specific fashion, thereby significantly increasing the cytotoxic potential of such molecules. This mechanism is outlined in FIG. 2. The tandem diabody displays strong, specific and efficient ADCC. It is reported that T-cells can play a role in controlling tumor growth. For example, the presence of cytotoxic T-cells in colorectal tumors as well as lymph nodes from NHL patients was shown to correlate with a better clinical outcome. Furthermore, the potential of therapies designed to induce T-cell responses has been demonstrated for melanoma vaccines, as well as the antibody directed against CTLA-4, a negative regulator of T-cell activation. The tandem diabodies described herein engage cytotoxic T-cells via binding to the surface-expressed CD3, which forms part of the T-cell receptor. Simultaneous binding of this tandem diabody to CD3 and to CD33 expressed on the surface of particular tumor cells causes T-cell activation and mediates the subsequent lysis of the tumor cell (FIG. 2).

Therefore, in a further aspect is a multispecific, tandem diabody. In some embodiments, a multispecific tandem diabody has specificities to two, three or more different epitopes, wherein two or more epitopes can be of the same antigen target or of different antigen targets. In certain embodiments the multispecific, tandem diabody is bispecific and tetravalent, i.e. comprises four antigen-binding sites. Such a bispecific tandem diabody binds with at least one antigen-binding site, to human CD3 and to human CD33, wherein in certain instances, the tandem diabody binds with two antigen-binding sites to human CD3 and with two other antigen-binding sites to human CD33, i.e. the tandem diabody binds bivalently to each antigen.

In some embodiments, a bispecific, antigen-binding tandem diabody is specific to human CD33 and human CD3, wherein said tandem diabody comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, each polypeptide having at least four variable chain domains linked one after another, wherein each polypeptide comprises

(i) a variable heavy chain (VH) domain specific to human CD33;

(ii) a variable light chain (VL) domain specific to human CD33;

(iii) a VH domain specific for human CD3, and

(iv) a VL domain specific for human CD3.

In particular embodiments, a bispecific tandem diabody specifically binds to an epitope of human CD33 which is within ₆₂DQEVQEETQ₇₀ (SEQ ID NO:94) (amino acid residues 62-70 of SEQ ID NO:93) of human CD33. In particular instances, such a tandem diabody comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, each polypeptide having at least four variable chain domains linked one after another, wherein each polypeptide comprises

-   -   (i) a variable heavy chain domain specific to an epitope of         human CD33 which is within ₆₂DQEVQEETQ₇₀ (SEQ ID NO:94) (amino         acid residues 62-70 of SEQ ID NO:93) of human CD33;     -   (ii) a variable light chain domain specific to an epitope of         human CD33 which is within ₆₂DQEVQEETQ₇₀ (SEQ ID NO:94) (amino         acid residues 62-70 of SEQ ID NO:93) of human CD33;     -   (iii) a variable heavy chain domain specific for human CD3, and     -   (iv) a variable light chain domain specific for human CD3.

In other embodiments, described herein are CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies that have an affinity to CD33 on CD33⁺ cells with a K_(D) of 10 nM or less, 5 nM or less, 1 nM or less, or 0.5 nM or less. The CD33⁺ cells can be selected from tumor cells such as, for example, HL-60 or KG-1.

In a further embodiment a CD33/CD3 tandem diabody described herein binds CD3 and in certain instances, the epsilon chain of CD3 on CD3⁺ cells, particularly T-cells, with a K_(D) of 10 nM or less, 5 nM or less or 2 nM or less.

In some embodiments, each polypeptide of a bispecific tandem diabody comprises one of the following combinations of the four variable chain domains: (i) SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 65 and 69, (ii) SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 65 and 69, (iii) SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 65 and 69, (iv) SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 65 and 69, (v) SEQ ID NOs:1, 11, 64 and 68, (vi) SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 64 and 68, (vii) SEQ ID NOs:2, 12, 66 and 70, (viii) SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 66 and 70, (ix) SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 66 and 70, and (x) SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 64 and 68, (xi) SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 67 and 71, (xii) SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 64 and 68, (xiii) SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 64 and 68, (xiv) SEQ ID NOs:7, 17, 64 and 68, (xv) SEQ ID NOs:6, 16, 64 and 68, (xvi) SEQ ID NOs:6, 16, 67 and 71, (xvii) SEQ ID NOs:8, 18, 64 and 68, (xviii) SEQ ID NOs:9, 19, 64 and 68; (xix) SEQ ID NOs:9, 19, 67 and 71, and (xx) SEQ ID NOs:10, 20, 64 and 68.

As used herein, “dimer” refers to a complex of two polypeptides. In certain embodiments, the two polypeptides are non-covalently associated with each other, in particular with the proviso that there is no covalent bond between the two polypeptides. In certain instances, the two polypeptides have covalent associations such as disulfide bonds that form to aid in stabilization of the dimer. In certain embodiments, the dimer is homodimeric, i.e. comprises two identical polypeptides. The term “polypeptide” refers to a polymer of amino acid residues linked by amide bonds. The polypeptide is, in certain instances, a single chain fusion protein, which is not branched. In the polypeptide the variable antibody domains are linked one after another. The polypeptide, in other instances, may have contiguous amino acid residues in addition to the variable domain N-terminal and/or C-terminal residues. For example, such contiguous amino acid residues may comprise a Tag sequence, in some instances at the C-terminus, which is contemplated to be useful for the purification and detection of the polypeptide.

In one aspect, each polypeptide of the bispecific tandem diabody comprises four variable domains, a variable light chain (VL) and a variable heavy chain (VH) of a CD3 binding protein as well as a variable light chain (VL) and a variable heavy chain (VH) of a CD33 binding protein. In certain embodiments, four variable domains are linked by peptide linkers L1, L2 and L3 and in some instances arranged from the N- to the C-terminus as follows:

Domain Order:

(1) VL(CD3)-L1-VH(CD33)-L2-VL(CD33)-L3-VH(CD3); or

(2) VH(CD3)-L1-VL(CD33)-L2-VH(CD33)-L3-VL(CD3); or

(3) VL(CD33)-L1-VH(CD3)-L2-VL(CD3)-L3-VH(CD33); or

(4) VH(CD33)-L1-VL(CD3)-L2-VH(CD3)-L3-VL(CD33).

The length of the linkers influences the flexibility of the antigen-binding tandem diabody according to reported studies. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the length of the peptide linkers L1, L2 and L3 is such that the domains of one polypeptide can associate intermolecularly with the domains of another polypeptide to form the dimeric antigen-binding tandem diabody. In certain embodiments, such linkers are “short”, i.e. consist of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 amino acid residues. Thus, in certain instances, the linkers consist of about 12 or less amino acid residues. In the case of 0 amino acid residues, the linker is a peptide bond. Such short linkers favor the intermolecular dimerization of the two polypeptides by binding and forming correct antigen-binding sites between antibody variable light chain domains and antibody variable heavy chain domains of different polypeptides. Shortening the linker to about 12 or less amino acid residues generally prevents adjacent domains of the same polypeptide chain from intramolecular interaction with each other. In some embodiments, these linkers consist of about 3 to about 10, for example 4, 5 or 6 contiguous amino acid residues.

Regarding the amino acid composition of the linkers, peptides are selected that do not interfere with the dimerization of the two polypeptides. For example, linkers comprising glycine and serine residues generally provide protease resistance. The amino acid sequence of the linkers can be optimized, for example, by phage-display methods to improve the antigen binding and production yield of the antigen-binding polypeptide dimer. Examples of peptide linkers suitable for a tandem diabody in some embodiments are GGSGGS (SEQ ID NO:95), GGSG (SEQ ID NO:96), or GGSGG (SEQ ID NO:97).

Non-limiting examples of tandem diabodies as described herein are tandem diabodies having an anti-CD33 VL and VH domain, an anti-CD3 VL and VH domain, domain order and linker according to Table 7.

TABLE 7 Exemplary CD33/CD3 Tandem Diabodies (TandAbs) Tandem Anti-CD33 domain Anti-CD3 domain Domain Linker Diabody VL VH VH VL Order L1/L3 L2 01 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 2 NO: 12 NO: 65 NO: 69 02 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 3 NO: 13 NO: 65 NO: 69 03 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 4 NO: 14 NO: 65 NO: 69 04 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 5 NO: 15 NO: 65 NO: 69 05 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 4 NO: 14 NO: 65 NO: 69 G 06 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 5 NO: 15 NO: 65 NO: 69 G 07 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 1 NO: 11 NO: 64 NO: 68 GS 08 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 3 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 2 NO: 12 NO: 64 NO: 68 GS 09 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 2 NO: 12 NO: 66 NO: 70 10 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 4 NO: 14 NO: 66 NO: 70 11 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 5 NO: 15 NO: 66 NO: 70 12 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 3 NO: 13 NO: 64 NO: 68 13 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 3 NO: 13 NO: 67 NO: 71 14 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 2 NO: 12 NO: 64 NO: 68 15 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 4 NO: 14 NO: 64 NO: 68 16 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 5 NO: 15 NO: 64 NO: 68 17 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 7 NO: 17 NO: 64 NO: 68 18 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 2 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 7 NO: 17 NO: 64 NO: 68 19 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 6 NO: 16 NO: 64 NO: 68 20 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 6 NO: 16 NO: 67 NO: 71 21 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 8 NO: 18 NO: 64 NO: 68 22 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 9 NO: 19 NO: 64 NO: 68 23 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 9 NO: 19 NO: 67 NO: 71 24 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID 1 GGSGGS GGSG NO: 10 NO: 20 NO: 64 NO: 68

In some embodiments, a tandem diabody is tandem diabody 01 (SEQ ID NO:98), 02 (SEQ ID NO:99), 03 (SEQ ID NO:100), 04 (SEQ ID NO:101), 05 (SEQ ID NO:102), 06 (SEQ ID NO:103), 07 (SEQ ID NO:104), 08 (SEQ ID NO:105), 09 (SEQ ID NO:106), 10 (SEQ ID NO:107), 11 (SEQ ID NO:108), 12 (SEQ ID NO:109), 13 (SEQ ID NO:110), 14 (SEQ ID NO:111), 15 (SEQ ID NO:112), 16 (SEQ ID NO:113), 17 (SEQ ID NO:114), 18 (SEQ ID NO:115), 19 (SEQ ID NO:116), 20 (SEQ ID NO:117), 21 (SEQ ID NO:118), 22 (SEQ ID NO:119), 23 (SEQ ID NO:120), or 24 (SEQ ID NO:121) as depicted in FIG. 9B to 9Y.

The CD33 binding protein and the CD33/CD3 bispecific binding protein (e.g., CD33/CD3 bispecific tandem diabody) described herein is produced, in some embodiments, by expressing polynucleotides encoding the polypeptide of the tandem diabody which associates with another identical polypeptide to form the antigen-binding tandem diabody. Therefore, another aspect is a polynucleotide, e.g. DNA or RNA, encoding the polypeptide of an antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein.

The polynucleotide is constructed by known methods such as by combining the genes encoding at least four antibody variable domains either separated by peptide linkers or, in other embodiments, directly linked by a peptide bond, into a single genetic construct operably linked to a suitable promoter, and optionally a suitable transcription terminator, and expressing it in bacteria or other appropriate expression system such as, for example CHO cells. Depending on the vector system and host utilized, any number of suitable transcription and translation elements, including constitutive and inducible promoters, may be used. The promoter is selected such that it drives the expression of the polynucleotide in the respective host cell.

In some embodiments, the polynucleotide is inserted into a vector, preferably an expression vector, which represents a further embodiment. This recombinant vector can be constructed according to known methods.

A variety of expression vector/host systems may be utilized to contain and express the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide of the described antigen-binding tandem diabody. Examples of expression vectors for expression in E. coli are pSKK (Le Gall et al., J Immunol Methods. (2004) 285(1):111-27) or pcDNA5 (Invitrogen) for expression in mammalian cells.

Thus, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein, in some embodiments, is produced by introducing a vector encoding the polypeptide as described above into a host cell and culturing said host cell under conditions whereby the polypeptide chains are expressed, may be isolated and, optionally, further purified.

In other aspects, the CD33 binding protein or the CD33/CD3 bispecific binding protein (e.g., CD33/CD3 bispecific tandem diabody) described herein has a modification. Typical modifications include, but are not limited to, acetylation, acylation, ADP-ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of phosphatidylinositol, drug conjugation, cross-linking, cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation of covalent crosslinks, formation of cystine, formation of pyroglutamate, formylation, gamma carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization, selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acids to proteins such as arginylation, and ubiquitination. In further embodiments, the CD33 binding protein or the CD33/CD3 bispecific binding protein is modified with additional amino acids, such as a leader or secretory sequence or a sequence for purification of the polypeptide.

In other aspects, provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the CD33 binding protein, an antigen-binding tandem diabody, a vector comprising the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide of the antigen binding tandem diabody or a host cell transformed by this vector and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes, but is not limited to, any carrier that does not interfere with the effectiveness of the biological activity of the ingredients and that is not toxic to the patient to whom it is administered. Examples of suitable pharmaceutical carriers are well known in the art and include phosphate buffered saline solutions, water, emulsions, such as oil/water emulsions, various types of wetting agents, sterile solutions etc. Such carriers can be formulated by conventional methods and can be administered to the subject at a suitable dose. Preferably, the compositions are sterile. These compositions may also contain adjuvants such as preservative, emulsifying agents and dispersing agents. Prevention of the action of microorganisms may be ensured by the inclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents.

Bispecific CD33/CD3 binding proteins with high-affinity binding to CD33 and CD3 are highly active in a large number of primary AML specimens, suggesting that these molecules could be active against human AML across the entire cytogenetic/molecular disease spectrum, even in cases of minimal CD33 expression. Of note, drug-specific cytotoxicity is also observed in the presence of residual autologous T-cells and is significantly augmented by the addition of controlled amounts of healthy donor T-cells (see Example 6).

The CD33/CD3 bispecific binding proteins, in particular tandem diabodies, can induce potent cytolysis of CD33⁺ leukemic cells in vitro. The data indicate that high-affinity binding to both CD33 and CD3 maximizes bispecific protein-induced T-cell activation and anti-AML efficacy. High-affinity CD33/CD3-directed bispecific binding proteins, such as the tandem diabodies described herein display cytolytic activity in primary AML in vitro. Thus, these bispecific binding proteins and tandem diabodies are suitable for a therapeutic approach for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or other hematologic malignancies, for example, myeloid dysplastic syndrome (MDS) or myeloproliferative disease (MPD).

Therefore, provided herein are methods wherein the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein above is administered in an effective dose to a subject, e.g., a patient, for the treatment of a CD33⁺ cancer (e.g. acute myeloid leukemia (AML)), disease or condition. CD33⁺ cancers include, but are not limited to, acute leukemias such as acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) including precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia, myeloid sarcoma, multiple myeloma, acute lymphomas such as acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and the like. CD33⁺ diseases and conditions include immune suppressive states or environments attributed by myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in certain cancers and chronic inflammation.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In certain embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for the treatment of an acute myeloid leukemia subtype.

The French-American-British classification system divides AML into eight subtypes: AML-M0 (minimally differentiated), AML-M1 (without maturation), AML-M2 (with granulocytic maturation), AML-M3 (promyelocytic or acute promyelocytic leukemia), AML-4 (acute myelomonocytic leukemia), AML-M5 (acute monoblastic or monocytic leukemia), AML-M6 (acute erythroid leukemia), and AML-M7 (acute megakaryoblastic leukemia). In certain instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for the treatment of AML-M0, AML-M1, AML-M2, AML-M3, AML-M4, AML-M5, AML-M6, or AML-M7.

The WHO AML classification scheme organizes AML according to the following subtypes: AML with Recurrent Genetic Abnormalities, AML with myelodysplasia-related changes, Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms, Myeloid sarcoma, Myeloid proliferations related to Down syndrome, Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, and AML not otherwise categorized. In certain other instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for the treatment of AML with Recurrent Genetic Abnormalities, AML with myelodysplasia-related changes, Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms, Myeloid sarcoma, Myeloid proliferations related to Down syndrome, Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, or AML not otherwise categorized.

In some other embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for the treatment of a newly diagnosed, recurrent or refractory AML.

In further embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for the treatment of a preleukemia blood disorder such as myeloid dysplastic syndrome (MDS) or myeloproliferative disease (MPD). In certain instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for the treatment of MDS. In certain instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for the treatment of MPD.

In other embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In further embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for the treatment of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML).

In other embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for inhibiting or eliminating myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MDSCs highly overexpress CD33 in certain isolated diseased tissues and possess strong immunosuppressive activities. In certain human cancers (CD33⁺ as well as non-CD33+), MDSCs proliferate and are activated to suppress tumor-specific CD4⁺ T-cell responses and induce T_(reg) cells, allowing the tumor or cancer to flourish in a microenvironment. In chronic inflammation, MDSCs are reportedly expanded and found at inflammation sites to suppress T cell immune function. In other embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered for treating a condition associated with MDSCs. In yet other embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered to treat immune suppression. In yet other embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered to treat inflammation suppressed by MDSCs. In yet other embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered to treat a decreased immune response caused by MDSCs. In yet other embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered to treat angiogenesis, tumor invasion, or metastasis of cancers that are promoted by MDSCs. In yet other embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody as described herein is administered to treat a cancer or tumor that is enhanced, augmented, aggravated or increased by MDSCs.

The antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is contemplated for use as a medicament. Administration is effected by different ways, e.g. by intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, topical or intradermal administration. In some embodiments, the route of administration depends on the kind of therapy and the kind of compound contained in the pharmaceutical composition. The dosage regimen will be determined by the attending physician and other clinical factors. Dosages for any one patient depends on many factors, including the patient's size, body surface area, age, sex, the particular compound to be administered, time and route of administration, the kind of therapy, general health and other drugs being administered concurrently. An “effective dose” refers to amounts of the active ingredient that are sufficient to affect the course and the severity of the disease, leading to the reduction or remission of such pathology. An “effective dose” useful for treating and/or preventing AML may be determined using known methods.

In further embodiments, the antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is administered in combination with a standard therapy to CD33⁺ cancers, diseases or conditions. Standard therapies include chemotherapies, immunotherapies, hormone therapies, radiation, surgery, gene therapies and the like. In certain instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is administered in combination with a standard AML therapy. In certain instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is administered in combination with cytarabine, azacitidine, decitabine, an anthracycline (e.g., daunorubicin, idarubicin, doxorubicin, and the like), amsacrine, fludarabine, clofarabine, cladribine, nelarabine, methotrexate, bortezomib, carfilzomib, melphalan, ibrutinib, thalidomide, lenalidomide, pomalidomide, apremilast, an epipodophyllotoxin (e.g., etoposide, teniposide, and the like), an anthracenedione (e.g., mitoxantrone, pixantrone, losoxantrone, piroxantrone, ametantrone and the like) an anti-CD20 agent (e.g., rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, or combinations thereof. In certain instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is administered in combination with cytarabine (ara-C). In certain instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is administered in combination with azacitidine. In certain instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is administered in combination with decitabine. In further instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is administered in combination with an anthracycline (e.g., daunorubicin, idarubicin, doxorubicin, and the like). In other instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is administered in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor (e.g., PD-1 inhibitor, CTLA-4 inhibitor, and the like). In yet other instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is administered in combination with an epipodophyllotoxin (e.g., etoposide, teniposide, and the like). In yet other instances, the antigen-binding tandem diabody described herein is administered in combination with an anthracenedione (e.g., mitoxantrone, pixantrone, losoxantrone, piroxantrone, ametantrone and the like).

The examples below further illustrate the described embodiments without limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Cloning of DNA Expression Constructs Encoding Single-Chain Fv Antibodies

For bacterial expression of anti-CD33 single-chain Fv (scFv) antibodies in E. coli, DNA coding sequences of all molecules were cloned into a bacterial expression vector. All expression constructs were designed to contain coding sequences for an N-terminal signal peptide and C-terminal hexa-histidine (6×His)-tag to facilitate antibody secretion into the periplasm and purification, respectively. The amino acid sequences of the VL and VH-domains from all anti-CD33 scFv clones are shown in Table 3 and Table 4.

Expression of Recombinant Anti-CD33 scFv Antibodies in E. coli

Recombinant scFv antibodies were expressed as soluble secreted proteins in the E. coli periplasm. In a first step a small medium culture supplemented with ampicillin was inoculated with transformed bacteria and incubated for 16 h at 28° C. Subsequently, optical density was adjusted by adding a second medium supplemented with ampicillin and incubated once more at 28° C. until an optical density in the range of 0.6-0.8 at 600 nm was reached. Protein expression was induced through addition of 50 μM IPTG and incubation of cultures at 21-28° C. and 200 rpm for up to 16 h. Following incubation, cells were pelleted (30 min, 4° C., 7500 rpm) and stored at −20° C. until further processing.

Purification of Anti-CD33 Single-Chain Fv Antibodies

Recombinant scFv were extracted from E. coli periplasm following centrifugation of bacterial cell cultures by resuspending cell pellets in buffer and incubation for 30 min at room temperature with gentle agitation. Cells were pelleted and supernatants containing recombinant proteins were kept. The procedure was repeated once more before supernatants were pooled and homogenized by ultrasonication. Homogenates were diluted, supplemented with low concentrations of imidazole and loaded onto a prepacked immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) column (GE Healthcare). The column was washed until baseline was reached and bound protein was then eluted with an imidazole buffer. Antibody containing fractions were pooled and subsequently purified by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Finally, protein eluates were concentrated by ultrafiltration and dialysed against storage buffer. Subsequent to low pH treatment (incubation at pH 3.0 for 20-24 h at 37° C.), samples were neutralized using Tris. Purified proteins were stored as aliquots at −80° C. until use.

EXAMPLE 2

Cloning of DNA Expression Constructs Encoding Tandem Diabodies (TandAb®)

For expression of bispecific tandem diabodies in CHO cells, coding sequences of all molecules were cloned into a mammalian expression vector system. The anti-CD33 scFv domains of Example 1 were used to construct CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies in combination with an anti-CD3 scFv domain, with domains organized as shown in Table 7 and FIG. 3. In brief, gene sequences encoding anti-CD33 VH and VL domains separated by a peptide linker (VH-linker-VL or VL-linker-VH) were synthesized and subcloned. The resulting construct was digested to generate separate VH and VL coding sequences utilizing a Bam HI restriction site located within the linker sequence. These VH and VL fragments were then ligated with a DNA fragment encoding VH and VL domains of anti-CD3 (VH-linker-VL or VL-linker-VH) to yield the final construct. Domain order variants 1 to 3 of CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies are shown in FIG. 3. All expression constructs were designed to contain coding sequences for an N-terminal signal peptide and a C-terminal hexahistidine (6×His)-tag to facilitate antibody secretion and purification, respectively.

Expression of Tandem Diabodies in Stably Transfected CHO Cells

A CHO cell expression system (Flp-In®, Life Technologies), a derivative of CHO-K1 Chinese Hamster ovary cells (ATCC, CCL-61) (Kao and Puck, Proc. Natl. Acad Sci USA 1968; 60(4):1275-81), was used. Adherent cells were subcultured according to standard cell culture protocols provided by Life Technologies.

For adaption to growth in suspension, cells were detached from tissue culture flasks and placed in serum-free medium. Suspension-adapted cells were cryopreserved in medium with 10% DMSO.

Recombinant CHO cell lines stably expressing secreted tandem diabodies were generated by transfection of suspension-adapted cells. During selection with the antibiotic Hygromycin B viable cell densities were measured twice a week, and cells were centrifuged and resuspended in fresh selection medium at a maximal density of 0.1×10⁶ viable cells/mL. Cell pools stably expressing tandem diabodies were recovered after 2-3 weeks of selection at which point cells were transferred to standard culture medium in shake flasks. Expression of recombinant secreted proteins was confirmed by performing protein gel electrophoresis or flow cytometry. Stable cell pools were cryopreserved in DMSO containing medium.

Tandem diabodies were produced in 10-day fed-batch cultures of stably transfected CHO cell lines by secretion into the cell culture supernatant. Cell culture supernatants were harvested after 10 days at culture viabilities of typically >75%. Samples were collected from the production cultures every other day and cell density and viability were assessed. On day of harvest, cell culture supernatants were cleared by centrifugation and vacuum filtration before further use.

Protein expression titers and product integrity in cell culture supernatants were analyzed by SDS-PAGE.

Purification of Tandem Diabodies

Tandem diabodies were purified from CHO cell culture supernatants in a two-step procedure. The His6-tagged constructs were subjected to Ni-NTA Superflow chromatography in a first step followed by preparative size exclusion chromatography (SEC) on Superdex 200 in a second step. Eluted tandem diabodies were characterized with regards to their homodimer (tandem diabody) content and pooled if the homodimer content was 90% or higher. Finally, pooled samples were buffer-exchanged and concentrated by ultrafiltration to a typical concentration of >1 mg/mL. Purity and homogeneity (typically >90%) of final samples were assessed by SDS PAGE under reducing and non-reducing conditions, followed by immunoblotting using an anti-His-Tag antibody as well as by analytical SEC, respectively. Purified proteins were stored at aliquots at −80° C. until use.

Polypeptides of CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies are shown in Table 7 and FIG. 3. Each tandem diabody consists of two identical polypeptides (FIG. 1). Both outer linkers L1 and L3 were comprised of six amino acids GGSGGS (SEQ ID NO:95), whereas the central peptide linker 2 varied in length (4-6 amino acids) with the sequences GGSG (SEQ ID NO:96), GGSGG (SEQ ID NO:97), or GGSGGS (SEQ ID NO:95), respectively.

Using a series of anti-CD33 variable domains and anti-CD3 variable domains a large number of tandem diabody molecules was generated that could be stably produced in transfected cell lines and that maintained stability at body temperature as well as after repeated freeze/thaw cycles. To facilitate further development and preclinical toxicology studies, emphasis was placed on the selection of tandem diabody molecules that showed binding to both human and cynomolgus monkey CD33. Examples of complete amino acid sequences are shown for the single-chain of tandem diabodies 12 (SEQ ID NO:109), 14 (SEQ ID NO:111) and 16 (SEQ ID NO:113) in FIGS. 9M, 9O and 9Q, respectively. In this example the order of the variable domains and their linkers for the structures is: VL (CD3)-L1-VH (CD33)-L2-VL (CD33)-L3-VH (CD3).

EXAMPLE 3

Determination of Antibody Affinity by Flow Cytometry

Cells were incubated with 100 μL of serial dilutions of CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies. After washing three times with FACS buffer the cells were incubated with 0.1 mL of 10 μg/mL mouse monoclonal anti-His antibody in the same buffer for 45 min on ice. After a second washing cycle, the cells were incubated with 0.1 mL of 15 μg/mL FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG antibodies under the same conditions as before. As a control, cells were incubated with the anti-His IgG followed by the FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG antibodies without anti-CD33 tandem diabodies. The cells were then washed again and resuspended in 0.2 mL of FACS buffer containing 2 μg/mL propidium iodide (PI) in order to exclude dead cells. The fluorescence of 1×10⁴ living cells was measured using a Beckman-Coulter FC500 MPL flow cytometer using the MXP software (Beckman-Coulter, Krefeld, Germany) or a Millipore Guava EasyCyte flow cytometer using the Incyte software (Merck Millipore, Schwalbach, Germany). Mean fluorescence intensities of the cell samples were calculated using CXP software (Beckman-Coulter, Krefeld, Germany) or Incyte software (Merck Millipore, Schwalbach, Germany). After subtracting the fluorescence intensity values of the cells stained with the secondary and tertiary reagents alone the values were used for calculation of the K_(D) values with the equation for one-site binding (hyperbola) of the GraphPad Prism (version 6.00 for Windows, GraphPad Software, La Jolla Calif. USA).

The tandem diabodies were tested for their binding affinities to human CD3⁺ and CD33⁺ cells and cynomolgus CD3⁺ and CD33⁺ cells. Exemplary binding data for selected tandem diabodies are summarized in Table 8:

TABLE 8 CD3 and CD33 binding characteristics of CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies: EC₅₀ on K_(D) on T K_(D) on HL- K_(D) on KG- K_(D) on U-937 K_(D) ratio HL-60 TandAb cells [nM] 60 [nM] 1 [nM] [nM] cynoCD33/huCD33 [pM] 01 94.2 0.6 0.9 7.1 0.7 1.9 02 69.8 0.2 0.3 0.9 1.1 0.5 03 81.9 1.1 1.8 8.9 0.6 3.6 04 79.3 0.5 0.5 1.7 1.1 1.8 05 69.5 1.0 1.2 6.2 0.8 2.7 06 86.3 0.4 0.5 1.6 0.8 1.6 07 49.7 13.7 47.9 47.1 45.8 17.8 08 2.4 0.3 0.5 1.8 0.6 1.8 09 2.4 0.5 0.3 2.2 1.0 6.8 10 1.9 0.5 1.0 1.7 0.8 7.0 11 2.6 0.3 0.5 0.6 1.2 5.9 12 1.5 0.3 0.9 0.5 1.7 1.3 13 55.7 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.6 1.1 14 2.1 0.3 0.3 1.2 1.0 1.6 15 1.3 0.4 0.3 0.9 1.1 1.8 16 2.1 0.3 0.2 0.3 1.4 1.5 17 3.3 5.0 52.5 24.4 1.9 18.4 18 1.9 3.4 16.3 15.1 3.1 6.3 19 6.3 2.8 3.6 5.4 37.3 5.7 20 143.8 4.1 7.0 7.2 33.8 10.0 21 2.1 9.7 25.1 80.2 0.9 7.6 22 4.1 0.7 2.0 8.6 0.6 3.2 23 97.2 0.4 1.0 5.1 1.9 2.8 24 2.3 5.6 12.4 39.5 1.8 9.6

#K_(D) ratio cyno CD33/human CD33 was calculated based on the K_(D) values measured on CHO cells expressing cynomolgus CD33 and human CD33, respectively. _(‡)K_(D) ratio hu CD3/hu CD33 was calculated based on the K_(D) values measured on Jurkat cells (hu CD3) and the mean K_(D) of three human CD33⁺ tumor cell lines (HL-60, KG-1, U937).

CD3 binding affinity and crossreactivity were evaluated in titration and flow cytometric experiments on CD3⁺ Jurkat cells (provided by Dr. Moldenhauer, DKFZ Heidelberg; human acute T-cell leukemia) and the cynomolgus CD3⁺ HSC-F cell line (JCRB, cat.: JCRB 1164). CD33 binding and crossreactivity were assessed on the human CD33⁺ tumor cell lines: HL-60 (DSMZ, cat.: ACC 3, human B cell precursor leukemia), U-937 (DSMZ, cat.: ACC5; human histiocytic lymphoma), and KG-1 (DSMZ, cat.: ACC14; acute myeloid leukemia). The K_(D) ratio of crossreactivity was calculated using the K_(D) values determined on the CHO cell lines expressing either recombinant human or recombinant cynomolgus antigens.

The tandem diabodies exhibited a relatively high affinity to human CD33⁺ on most of the tested tumor cell lines below 1 nM. Affinities to human CD3 were determined to be equal or less than 2 nM.

EXAMPLE 4

Cytotoxicity Assay

For the cytoxicity assay target cells cultured under standard conditions were harvested, washed and resuspended in diluent C, provided in the PKH67 Green Fluorescent Cell Linker Mini Kit, to a density of 2×10⁷ cells/mL. The cell suspension was then mixed with an equal volume of a double concentrated PKH67-labeling solution and incubated for 2-5 min at RT. The staining reaction was performed by adding an equal volume of FCS and incubating for 1 min. After washing the labeled target cells with complete RPMI medium, cells were counted and resuspended to a density of 2×10⁵ cells/mL in complete RPMI medium. 2×10⁴ target cells were then seeded together with enriched human T-cells as effector cells at an E:T ratio of 5:1, in the presence of increasing concentrations of the indicated tandem diabodies in individual wells of a microtiter plate, in a total volume of 200 μL/well. Spontaneous cell death and killing of targets by T-cells in the absence of antibodies were determined for at least three replicates on each plate. After centrifugation the assay plates were incubated for the indicated periods of time at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO₂. After incubation, cultures were washed once with FACS buffer and then resuspended in 150 L FACS buffer supplemented with 2 μg/mL PI. The absolute amount of living target cells was measured by a positive green staining with PKH67 and negative staining for PI using a Beckman-Coulter FC500 MPL flow cytometer (Beckman-Coulter) or a Millipore Guava EasyCyte flow cytometer (Merck Millipore). Based on the measured remaining living target cells, the percentage of specific cell lysis was calculated according to the following formula: [1-(number of living targets_((sample))/number of living targets_((spontaneous)))]×100%. Sigmoidal dose response curves and EC₅₀ values were calculated by non-linear regression/4-parameter logistic fit using the GraphPad Software. The lysis values obtained for a given antibody concentration were used to calculate sigmoidal dose-response curves by 4 parameter logistic fit analysis using the Prism software.

EC₅₀ values were determined in 20-24 hour assay on CD33⁺ U-937 (DSMZ, cat.: ACC5; human histiocytic lymphoma) target cells with enriched human T-cells as effector cells at a ratio of 5:1. Some tandem diabodies were also tested in cytotoxicity assays on CD33⁺ KG-1 (DSMZ, cat.: ACC14; acute myeloid leukemia) and HL-60 target cells. Specifically, HL-60 cells were chosen as a model of an AML with relatively high cell surface expression of CD33 (arbitrary MFI [mean±SEM]: 3,133±215; n=3), and KG-1a was chosen as a model of an AML with very limited CD33 expression (arbitrary MFI: 277±11; n=3). Exemplary cytotoxicity data for selected tandem diabodies are summarized in Table 9. Additional cytotoxicity data for HL-60 cell lines is found on Table 8, last column.

TABLE 9 In vitro potency of CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies on different CD33⁺ tumor cell lines: EC₅₀ [pM (pg/mL)] on human Tandem CD33⁺ target cell lines diabody HL-60 U-937 KG-1 mean 12 1.3 (137) 0.8 (84)  1.2 (126) 1.1 (116) 14 1.6 (168) 3.6 (378) 2.6 (273) 2.6 (273) 16 1.5 (158) 1.9 (200) 1.8 (189) 1.7 (179)

EC₅₀ values were determined in FACS-based cytotoxicity assays with primary human T-cells as effector cells at an E:T ratio of 5:1 on the indicated target cell lines incubated for 20-24 hours Each tandem diabody was tested on each tumor cell line in at least two independent experiments. Mean values are presented.

EXAMPLE 5

Further Cytotoxicity Screening Experiments in Human CD33+ AML Cell Lines at 48 Hours

As described above significant cytotoxicity was detected as early as 24 hours, however higher levels of toxicity can be detected at 48 hours. For the subsequent assays a 48-hour time point was chosen. The impact of T-cell selection on tandem diabody-induced cytotoxicity was tested. To accomplish this, unstimulated PBMCs from a healthy volunteer donor were obtained, and CD3⁺ cells were isolated both by simple “positive enrichment” via use of CD3 microbeads as well as by more complex “negative selection” via a microbead cocktail of antibodies against CD14, CD15, CD16, CD19, CD34, CD36, CD56, CD123, and CD235a. As depicted in FIG. 4, tandem diabody-induced cytotoxicity was greater with negatively selected healthy donor T-cells than positively selected T-cells. However, the relative cytotoxic activities of individual tandem diabodies were unaffected by the method of T-cell selection. Therefore the subsequent assays were performed with positively enriched healthy donor T-cells.

Unstimulated mononuclear cells were collected from healthy adult volunteers via leukapheresis by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) Hematopoietic Cell Processing Core (Core Center of Excellence) under research protocols approved by the FHCRC Institutional Review Board. T-cells were enriched through magnetic cell sorting either via CD3 Microbeads (“positive enrichment”) or via Pan T-Cell Isolation Kit (“negative selection”; both from Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn, Calif.), and then frozen in aliquots and stored in liquid nitrogen. Thawed cell aliquots were labeled with 3 μM CellVue Burgundy (eBioscience, San Diego, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Purified PBMCs were cultured in the presence of various concentrations of tandem diabody molecules.

For the quantification of drug-induced cytotoxicity cells were incubated at 37° C. (in 5% CO₂ and air), as in Example 4, at different E:T cell ratios. After 24-72 hours, cell numbers and drug-induced cytotoxicity, using DAPI to detect non-viable cells, were determined using a LSRII cytometer (BD Biosciences) and analyzed with FlowJo. AML cells were identified by forward/side scatter properties and, in experiments where healthy donor T-cells were added, negativity for CellVue Burgundy dye (FIG. 5). Drug-induced specific cytotoxicity is presented as: % cytotoxicity=100× (1−live target cells_(treated)/live target cells_(control)). Results from cytotoxicity assays are presented as mean values±standard error of the mean (SEM). Spearman nonparametric correlation was used to compute correlations between continuous sample characteristics. All P-values are two-sided. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software.

In the absence of healthy donor T-cells, neither of the CD33/CD tandem diabodies exerted any noticeable cytotoxic effect on AML cell lines in the absence of T-cells, confirming the absolute requirement for T-cells for their cytotoxic effects (data not shown). In the presence of T-cells, the extent of tandem diabody-induced specific cytotoxicity was dependent on the concentration of the tandem diabody as well as the E:T cell ratio. Direct head-to-head comparisons between the CD33/CD3-directed tandem diabody molecules and one control tandem diabody (00) indicated considerable differences in antibody-induced cytotoxicity in both HL-60 cells (FIG. 6A/B and Table 10) and KG-1a cells (FIG. 6C/D and Table 10), with results being highly reproducible in repeat experiments. Overall, the degree of tandem diabody-induced cytotoxicity correlated with the binding affinity for CD3 on primary human T-cells (for cytotoxicity in KG-1a cells at 25 pM (approx. 2.5 ng/mL) and E:T=5:1: r=−0.542, p=0.009; for cytotoxicity in HL-60 cells at 25 pM and E:T=5:1: r=−0.391, p=0.07). The tandem diabodies 12, 14, 16 were highly cytotoxic for both HL-60 and KG-1a cells.

TABLE 10 CD25 and CD69 induction and cytotoxicity at 48 h of CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies CD3 K_(D) CD33 K_(D) T cell (nM) (nM) CD25 CD69 Proliferation in Cytotoxicity Cytotoxicity Tandem Human HL-60 Induction Induction PBMC EC₅₀ HL-60 cells KG-1a cells Diabody¹ T-cells cells EC₅₀ (pM)² EC₅₀ (pM)² (pM)³ (% ± SEM)⁴ (% ± SEM)⁴ 15 1.3 0.4 6 7 7 82.9 ± 3.7 80.2 ± 1.9  12 1.5 0.3 6 3 2 84.7 ± 2.3 85.6 ± 1.6  10 1.9 0.5 10 6 6 48.0 ± 2.4 78.6 ± 2.3  14 2.1 0.3 10 7 6 86.0 ± 0.4 69.8 ± 5.7  21 2.1 9.7 ND 225 500 12.4 ± 1.0 0.0 ± 0.2 24 2.3 5.6 ND 57 264 24.5 ± 1.9 1.1 ± 0.2 09 2.4 0.5 11 7 9  43.2 ± 15.8 74.6 ± 3.2  11 2.6 0.3 11 5 6 52.7 ± 8.1 84.7± 1.4  17 3.3 5.0 30 114 30  4.2 ± 0.2 0.7 ± 0.4 22 4.1 0.7 10 4 7 74.2 ± 7.4 44.4 ± 5.3  16 5.1 0.3 1 2 3 86.0 ± 1.4 81.3 ± 1.5  19 6.3 2.8 9 5 6 79.4 ± 3.5 83.8 ± 2.9  07 49.7 13.7 134 65 50  6.3 ± 3.3 2.1 ± 0.7 13 55.7 0.2 30 22 23 70.4 ± 2.5 1.3 ± 0.4 05 69.5 1 116 74 74 23.8 ± 6.9 0.3 ± 0.3 02 69.8 0.2 42 27 4 80.9 ± 3.6 4.6 ± 2.1 04 79.3 0.5 94 62 44 24.1 ± 4.0 0.7 ± 0.8 03 81.9 1.1 117 87 63 13.1 ± 3.6 0.0 ± 0.5 06 86.3 0.4 39 21 48 45.7 ± 6.4 1.4 ± 0.2 01 94.2 0.6 92 91 89  8.0 ± 1.6 0.4 ± 0.4 23 97.2 0.4 41 17 37 73.7 ± 2.6 1.5 ± 0.3 20 143.8 4.1 98 75 38 31.2 ± 3.9 1.1 ± 0.3 ¹Tandem Diabodies (TandAbs) are listed in order of increasing CD3 affinity ²CD25 and CD69 induction was measured after 24 hours in unfractionated PBMC cultures. ³T cell proliferation induced by CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies in unfractionated PBMC with CD33+ cells present. ⁴Cytotoxicity (%) after 48 hours of DAPI+ cells at a tandem diabodies concentration of 25 pM in the presence of healthy donor T-cells at an E:T cell ratio of 5:1 from 3 independent experiments performed in duplicate wells. ND: no CD25 activation detectable

EXAMPLE 6

Further Characterization of Tandem Diabodies in Primary Human AML Specimens

For a comprehensive characterization of the cytotoxic properties of these candidates, specimens from AML patients were obtained for the studies from a FHCRC specimen repository.

Frozen aliquots of Ficoll-isolated mononuclear cells from pretreatment (“diagnostic”) peripheral blood or bone marrow specimens from adult patients with AML were obtained from repositories at FHCRC. We used the 2008 WHO criteria to define AML (Vardiman et al.; Blood. 2009; 114(5):937-951) and the refined United Kingdom Medical Research Council (MRC) criteria to assign cytogenetic risk (Grimwalde et al.; Blood. 2010; 116(3):354-365). Patients provided written informed consent for the collection and use of their biospecimens for research purposes under protocols approved by the FHCRC Institutional Review Board. Clinical data were de-identified in compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations. After thawing, cells were stained with directly labeled antibodies recognizing CD33 (clone P67.6; PE-Cy7-conjugated), CD3 (clone SK7; PerCP-conjugated), CD34 (clone 8G12; APC-conjugated; all from BD Biosciences, San Jose, Calif.), and CD45 (clone HI30; APC-eFluor®780-conjugated; eBioscience). To identify nonviable cells, samples were stained with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). At least 10,000 events were acquired on a Canto II flow cytometer (BD Biosciences), and DAPI− cells analyzed using FlowJo (Tree Star, Ashland, Oreg.).

After thawing, specimens had >58% AML blasts, as determined by flow cytometry based on CD45/side-scatter properties. Specimens had >50% viable cells immediately after thawing and >50% viable cells after 48 hours in cytokine-containing liquid culture (FIG. 7). Median age of the patients was 58.1 (range: 23.9-76.2) years; cytogenetic disease risk was favorable in 2, intermediate in 18, and adverse in 7. Information on the mutation status of NPM1, FLT3, and CEBPA was incomplete; however, one sample was known to be CEBPA^(double-mutant), and another sample was NPM1^(pos)/FLT3-ITD^(neg). The median percentage of myeloid blasts and CD3⁺ T-cells in the studied specimens was 86.1% (range: 58.4-97.0%) and 2.0% (range: 0-11.9%), respectively, and the median sample viability after 48 hours in culture was 80.1% (range: 53.6-93.6%). Fifteen of the patients had newly diagnosed AML, whereas 12 either had relapsed (n=7) or refractory (n=5) disease at the time of specimen collection. As summarized in Table 11, basic characteristics of the specimens from patients with newly diagnosed AML were similar to those with relapsed/refractory disease with regard to CD33 expression on myeloid blasts, amount of autologous T-cells, proportion of myeloid blasts, and culture viability.

The addition of tandem diabody molecules to AML specimen cultures resulted in modest, dose-dependent cytotoxicity (FIG. 8A), demonstrating that autologous T-cells, contained in the specimens from patients with active AML, can be engaged to lyse leukemic cells. In the presence of healthy donor T-cells, the cytotoxic activity of individual tandem diabodies was strictly dependent on the drug dose and the E:T cell ratio (FIG. 8B/C). However, high activity of tandem diabodies was observed even in some specimens with very low CD33 expression on AML blasts. Among the tandem diabody molecules, 12 appeared to be the most active, since it had the highest cytotoxicity at low concentrations (2.5 pM (approx. 250 ng/mL) and, to a less pronounced degree, also 10 pM (approx. 1 ng/mL)) at both E:T=1:3 and E:T=1:1.

The CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies have been screened in representative AML patient blood samples, which varied in terms of patient sex, age, disease stage (newly diagnosed, relapsed, refractory), degree of CD33 expression and cytogenic risk (Table 11). Remarkably, a number of examined tandem diabodies (e.g., 02, 08, 09, 11, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22 and 23) were highly active in nearly all patient samples across the disease spectrum as shown in FIG. 15. Moreover, the extent and scope of activity is similar in all stages of AML, including newly-diagnosed, relapsed and refractory patients.

TABLE 11 Characteristics of primary AML specimens All patients Newly diagnosed Relapsed/refractory (n = 27) AML (n = 15) AML (n = 12) Median age (range), years 58.1 (23.9-76.2) 64.0 (40.2-76.2) 44.4 (23.9-67.4) Cytogenetic/molecular risk Favorable 2 2 — Intermediate 18 10 8 CEBPA^(double-mutant) 1 1 — NPM1^(pos)/FLT3-ITD^(neg) 1 — 1 NPM1^(pos)/FLT3-ITD^(pos) or NPM1^(neg)/FLT3-ITD^(pos) 10 5 5 Adverse 7 3 4 Specimen source Bone marrow 11 4 7 Peripheral blood 16 11 5 Median % blasts (range) 86.1 (58.4-97.0) 86.1 (66.7-95.5) 86.7 (58.4-97.0) Median CD33 expression on blasts (range) 849 (5-5,356) 849 (5-5,356) 788 (7-2,242) Median % T-cells (range) 2.0 (0-11.9) 1.6 (0-11.9) 2.1 (0.7-8.7) Median % viability at 48 hours (range) 80.1 (53.6-93.6) 76.0 (53.6-93.6) 83.5 (63.9-93.1)

EXAMPLE 7

Potency and Efficacy of CD33/CD3 Tandem Diabody 12 and Tandem Diabody 16 on Different CD33⁺ Cell Lines of Various Origin Expressing Different Levels of CD33

In order to assess whether potency and efficacy of CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies depend on the CD33 density on the target cells, various human CD33⁺ tumor cell lines and CHO cells expressing recombinant human CD33 were tested for their CD33 expression levels using the QIFIKIT quantification kit and anti-CD33 mAb WM53. The results in Table 12 show that the CD33 densities on the tumor cell lines were in the range between ˜1300 SABC (standardized antibody binding capacity) and ˜46000 SABC. The expression on CHO-CD33 cells was ˜197000 SABC, substantially higher than on the tumor cell lines. All tested CD33⁺ cell lines were used as target cells in at least 3 independent FACS-based cytotoxicity assays with human T-cells as effector cells at an effector-to-target ratio of 5:1 in the presence of serial dilutions of CD33/CD3 tandem diabody 12 and tandem diabody 16. In each assay EC₅₀ and tandem diabody-mediated lysis values were calculated by non-linear regression. The results demonstrate that neither the potency (EC₅₀ values) nor the efficacy (% lysis) of 12 and 16 correlates with the CD33 density on the surface of target cells.

Noteworthy, at least 12 and 16 exhibit their cytotoxic activity also against cells like SEM with very low CD33 densities of below 1500 SABC.

TABLE 12 CD33 target cell surface expression and cytotoxic potency of CD33/CD3 tandem diabody 12 and tandem diabody 16: CD33 density 12 16 [SABC] EC₅₀ [pM] EC₅₀ [pM] Cell line mean SD mean SD mean SD CHO-CD33 196990 28053 11.8 11.2 24.0 19.5 HL-60 45948 4478 1.4 0.5 1.6 0.4 KG-1 42828 6923 1.0 0.6 1.9 2.0 KASUMI-1 25922 6484 1.3 0.6 2.4 1.4 THP-1 22065 415 1.9 0.2 6.0 1.2 RPMI-8226 19931 2604 14.0 17.8 2.8 2.0 U-937 17669 4593 0.9 0.1 1.3 0.6 K562 13789 2156 4.5 1.3 4.8 2.7 BV-173 8518 1231 1.4 0.6 3.2 1.6 SEM 1306 144.2 2.2 0.5 5.1 3.0

The standardized antibody binding capacity (SABC) on CD33⁺ cell lines was determined using QIFIKIT and the anti-CD33 mAb WM53. EC₅₀ values for tandem diaboody 12 and tandem diabody 16 redirected target cell lysis were determined in FACS-based cytotoxicity assays with human primary T-cells as effector cells at E:T ratios of 5:1 and 20-24 h incubation; assays with CD33-expressing CHO cells were incubated for 40-48 h. Mean and SD of at least 3 independent assays are shown.

EXAMPLE 8

TandAb-Activation of T-Cells and In Vitro Killing of AML Cells

TandAbs were incubated with purified human T cells and a VPD-450-labeled human CD33⁺ leukemia cell line, KG-1, or the CD33⁻ human ALL cell line, G2 (E:T 5:1). Flow cytometry was used to evaluate target cell lysis by TandAbs (10⁻¹⁵ to 10⁻⁸M; 24 h, 37° C.).

Incubation of TandAbs 12, 16, and 19 with human T cells efficiently lysed KG-1 cells (IC50˜0.01, 0.5, and 5 pM respectively). Up to 40% of T cells were activated (CD25+) rising with cytotoxic activity. A control TandAb with an irrelevant target, 00 (>10⁻⁷ M), did not result in significant killing of KG-1 in vitro. Separately, 16 induced lysis of KG-1 cells (IC50=5×10⁻¹²M) while 1×10⁻⁸M had no effect on CD33− G2 cells. The results indicate that T cells become activated and potently lyse tumor cells when targeted to CD33+ leukemic cells (KG-1) and primary CD33+ AML blasts by CD33/CD3 TandAbs.

EXAMPLE 9

Epitope Mapping

Tandem diabodies containing different CD33 binding moieties were subjected to epitope mapping using CLIPS Technology (Pepscan) in order to identify CD33-binding epitopes.

CLIPS Technology facilitates the structuring of peptides into single loops, double-loops, triple loops, sheet-like folds, helix-like folds, and combinations thereof, offering the possibility to map discontinuous epitopes of the target molecule.

An array of more than 7000 independent peptides was synthesized and the binding of each antibody to the peptides was tested in an ELISA.

The tandem diabodies 12, 14, 16 and 22 bind to the stretch ₆₂DQEVQEETQ₇₀ (SEQ ID NO:94) in the first Ig like domain of human CD33. The respective amino acid stretches are shown underlined and in bold in FIG. 9A. It is contemplated that tandem diabodies 01, 02, 04, 06, 08, 09, 13 and 23 also bind to this epitope as these tandem diabodies share the same CD33 binding domains (SEQ ID NOs:2 and 12, 3 and 13, 5 and 15, 9 and 19) as tandem diabodies 12, 14 16 and 12.

EXAMPLE 10

Dose-Response in a Prophylactic In Vivo Tumor Model

Tandem diabodies 12 and 16 are compared at different dose levels in a prophylactic HL-60 tumor xenograft model in NOD/scid mice reconstituted with human T-cells. In order to achieve a dose-response three dose levels at 10, 1 and 0.1 μg (0.5, 0.05, and 0.005 mg/kg) were selected.

Eight experimental groups of immunodeficient NOD/scid mice were xenotransplanted by subcutaneous injection with a suspension of 4×10⁶ HL-60 cells. Prior to injection cells were mixed with 3×10⁶ T-cells isolated from buffy coats (healthy donors) employing negative selection. To account for potential donor variability of the T-cells, each of the experimental groups was subdivided into three cohorts each receiving T-cells of one individual donor only. All animals of the experimental groups transplanted with tumor cells and T-cells received an intravenous bolus on days 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 (qdxd5) of either vehicle (control) or 16 or 12 at three different dose levels as indicated (0.1 μg, 1 μg, and 10 μg). One group without effector cells and vehicle treatment served as an additional control. Table 13 summarizes group allocation and dosing schedule.

TABLE 13 Schedule Group treatment dose Cell concentration/animal Cohort (iv) n 1 Vehicle — 4 × 106 HL-60 4 2 Vehicle — 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 1 Day 0, 1, 2, 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 2 3, 4 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 3 3 3 16 10 μg 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 1 Day 0, 1, 2, 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 2 3, 4 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 3 3 4 16  1 μg 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 1 Day 0, 1, 2, 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 2 3, 4 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 3 3 5 16 0.1 μg  4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 1 Day 0, 1, 2, 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 2 3, 4 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 3 3 6 12 10 μg 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 1 Day 0, 1, 2, 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 2 3, 4 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 3 3 7 12  1 μg 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 1 Day 0, 1, 2, 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 2 3, 4 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 3 3 8 12 0.1 μg  4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 1 Day 0, 1, 2, 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 2 3, 4 3 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 + 3 × 10⁶ T-cells Cohort 3 3

Treatment groups for the in vivo dose-response study in a HL-60 xenograft model. All animals in the control groups reliably developed a tumor and exhibited homogeneous tumor growth. The presence of T-cells had no influence on tumor development. No difference in HL-60 growth was observed in the presence or absence of T-cells in the vehicle-treated control groups.

Treatment with both test items revealed a clear dose-dependent anti-tumor effect (FIG. 10). No substantial difference was found between the two tandem diabodies. Plotting of mean tumor volumes in FIG. 10 was restricted to day 29 when most of the treatment groups were complete. The study was continued until day 45 and animals were observed for tumor-free survival. In the groups treated with 10 or 1 μg of 16, 6 of 9 animals were tumor-free at the end of the observation period and 5 of 9 animals receiving 10 μg of 12 were tumor-free on day 45. One animal remained tumor-free when treated with 1 μg of 12.

All animals in the control groups reliably developed a tumor and exhibited homogeneous tumor growth. Treatment with either of the tandem diabodies revealed a dose-dependent anti-tumor effect and no substantial difference was found between the two tandem diabodies until day 29.

Detectable differences were observed only after prolonged observation (day 45), at which time the low dose and control groups had already been terminated due to the growth of large tumors. Groups treated with 16 had more tumor-free animals.

EXAMPLE 11

Established Tumor Model

A xenograft model in NOD/scid mice with pre-established HL-60 tumors employing 16 was developed to demonstrate proof of concept.

In brief, female immune-deficient NOD/scid mice were sub-lethally irradiated (2 Gy) and subcutaneously inoculated with 4×10⁶ HL-60 cells. On day 9 the animals received a single bolus injection of anti-asialo GM1 rabbit antibody (Wako, Neuss, Germany) to deplete murine natural killer (NK) cells. On day 10, when the tumor reached a volume between 50-150 mm³ (mean 73±11 mm³) animals were allocated to 3 treatment groups. Groups 2 and 3 (8 animals each) were intraperitoneally injected with 1.5×10⁷ activated human T-cells. Prior to injection T-cells were isolated from buffy coats (healthy donors) employing negative selection. T-cells were expanded and activated with the T-Cell Activation/Expansion Kit according to the manufacturer's specification (Miltenyi Biotech). In order to address potential donor variability Groups 2 and 3 were subdivided into two cohorts each receiving expanded and activated T-cells from an individual donor. Each cohort received T-cells from one individual T-cell donor only.

TABLE 14 Treatment groups for the established HL-60 xenograft model. Animals Inoculated cells Treatment Group (n) Day 0, sc. Day 10, ip. Cohort Day 13 to 21, once daily 1 5 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 Vehicle (iv) 2 4 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 1.5 × 10⁷ T-cells (Donor 1) 1 Vehicle (iv) 4 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 1.5 × 10⁷ T-cells (Donor 2) 2 3 4 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 1.5 × 10⁷ T-cells (Donor 1) 1 TandAb 16 (iv) 50 μg 4 4 × 10⁶ HL-60 1.5 × 107 T-cells (Donor 2) 2

Starting on day 13 animals in Group 3 displayed a mean tumor volume of 105 mm³ and were treated with a total of 9 intravenous doses of 50 μg tandem diabody 16 (qdx9d). Table 14 illustrates group allocation and dosing schedule. Groups 1 and 2 were only treated with the vehicle. Body weight and tumor volume were determined until day 27.

All animals reliably developed a tumor, which was palpable on day 6. The mean tumor volume of vehicle-treated Group 1 and 2 (HL-60) animals continually increased until study termination on day 27 (FIG. 11). In Group 2 animals that received primary activated human T-cells in addition to HL-60 tumor cells, the mean tumor volume increased faster compared to Group 1 (HL-60 only).

Repeated intravenous treatment from days 13 to 21 (qdxd9) with tandem diabody 16 (50 μg/animal; 2.5 mg/kg) in the presence of human T-cells (Group 3) rapidly delayed tumor growth relative to Group 1 and Group 2. Tandem diabody 16 delayed tumor growth in Group 3 by approximately 4-5 days compared to vehicle-treated control group (Group 2). Statistically significant differences in the time period from day 6 to day 27 were identified between Group 2 (HL-60, T-cells, vehicle) and Group 3 (HL-60, T-cells, 16) on day 22 (p<0.05), day 23 (p<0.01) and day 27 (p<0.01) (Two-way Repeated Measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post-tests). No statistically significant differences were present between Group 1 and Group 3 due to unusual slow growth of the tumor in Group 1.

No donor variability with regard to T-cell activity was observed, when comparing tumor development in Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 within a group, which received T-cells from different donors (see Table 14).

Example 10 shows that a xenograft model in NOD/scid mice with a pre-established HL-60 tumor (AML) and intraperitoneally-engrafted human T-cells was successfully developed. Repeated dosing with tandem diabody 16 at a single dose level lead to a statistically significant delay in tumor growth in comparison to the respective vehicle-treated control group. The data generated are comparable to results published for a similar study with a CD33/CD3 BiTE™ (Aigner et al., 2012; Leukemia, 2013, April; 27(5):1107-15).

EXAMPLE 12

Efficacy of CD33/CD3 Tandem Diabodies in an AML PDX Model in NSG Mice

Cryopreserved cells from an AML patient whose CD33⁺ leukemia contained 2-4% CD3⁺ T-cells were used to establish an AML PDX model in NSG mice. One hour post-injection of tumor cells into irradiated (250 cGy) NSG mice, CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies, 16 or 12, at either of two i.v. doses (50 μg or 5 μg; n=8 mice/group) were injected in a 200 μL bolus. Additional injections of tandem diabodies were performed on each of the following 4 days. Mice were weighed once weekly, and subsequently were sacrificed on day 38 to permit collection of peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleen for analysis by flow cytometry (huCD33, huCD34, huCD45, muCD45, huCD14, huCD3, huCD4, huCD8, and 7AAD). The results are shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 shows that untreated mice had substantial amounts of human blasts in the bone marrow and spleen after 38 days. In contrast, mice treated with daily i.v. injections of tandem diabodies 12 or 16 exhibited substantially lower numbers of human AML blasts in the bone marrow and in the spleen. The strong anti-AML effect of the CD33/CD3 tandem diabody was observed at both dose levels (5 and 50 μg/injection).

The observed anti-AML effect for both CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies, 12 and 16, was much stronger than the effect of a CD123/CD3 DART® antibody targeting AML in an identical mouse model (Hussaini et al.: “Targeting CD123 In Leukemic Stem Cells Using Dual Affinity Re-Targeting Molecules (DARTs®) Nov. 15, 2013; Blood: 122 (21)). In contrast to the CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies which eliminated nearly all AML blasts in bone marrow and spleen, Hussaini et al. reported that the CD123/CD3 DART® reduced the number of AML blasts in the bone marrow and spleen in the PDX model only by factor 50-1000 at 2.5 and 0.25 mg/kg, the authors further reported that the CD123/CD3 DART™ reduced the number of AML blasts in bone marrow and spleen in the PDX model only by 40-78% at 0.5 mg/kg.

EXAMPLE 13

Fast Onset of CD33/CD3 Tandem Diabody 16-Mediated Target Cell Lysis

In order to assess the kinetics of CD33/CD3 tandem diabody-mediated target cell lysis, calcein-release cytotoxicity assays with different incubation times were performed. Calcein-labeled CD33⁺ HL-60 target cells were incubated with serial dilutions of tandem diabody 16 in the presence of primary human T cells as effector cells at an E:T ratio of 25:1 for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, or 5 h. At each time point the calcein that was released from lysed target cells was used to calculate the EC₅₀ value and tandem diabody 16-mediated target cell lysis using non-linear regression/sigmoidal dose-response. FIG. 13 shows an unexpected fast onset of tandem diabody-mediated target cells lysis with more than 40% lysis after 30 min incubation at saturating tandem diabody concentrations. After 4 hours incubation more than 90% target cell lysis was reached. Table 15 and FIG. 14 summarize the EC₅₀ and specific lysis values determined for tandem diabody 16 at incubation times between 30 min and 5 hours. The results further demonstrate that under the used assay conditions maximal potency (lowest EC₅₀ value) was reached after 2 hours incubation and that after 5 hours incubation almost all target cells were lysed. Altogether these results demonstrate a very fast, potent and efficacious target cell lysis mediated by CD33/CD3 tandem diabodies.

TABLE 15 Kinetics of EC₅₀ and lysis values determined for tandem diabody 16 incubation tandem diabody- time [min] EC₅₀ [pM] mediated lysis [%] 30 4.8 44.1 60 2.5 59.8 120 1.6 75.1 180 1.6 88.8 240 1.5 93.7 300 1.6 97.4

EXAMPLE 14

Proof-of-Concept Clinical Trial Protocol for Administration of CD33/CD3 Tandem Diabodies to AML Patients

This Phase I/II clinical trial for studying CD33/CD3 tandem diabody 16 as a treatment for with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Study Outcomes:

Primary: Maximum tolerated dose of CD33/CD3 tandem diabody 16

Secondary: To determine whether in vitro response of CD33/CD3 tandem diabody 16 is associated with clinical response

Phase I

The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) will be determined in the phase I section of the trial.

-   -   1.1 The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) will be determined in the         phase I section of the trial.     -   1.2 Patients who fulfill eligibility criteria will be entered         into the trial to CD33/CD3 tandem diabody 16.     -   1.3 The goal is to identify the highest dose of CD33/CD3 tandem         diabody 16 that can be administered safely without severe or         unmanageable side effects in participants. The dose given will         depend on the number of participants who have been enrolled in         the study prior and how well the dose was tolerated. Not all         participants will receive the same dose.

Phase II

-   -   2.1 A subsequent phase II section will be treated at the MTD         with a goal of determining if therapy with therapy of CD33/CD3         tandem diabody 16 results in at least a 20% response rate.     -   Primary Outcome for the Phase II—To determine if therapy of         CD33/CD3 tandem diabody 16 results in at least 20% of patients         achieving a clinical response (blast response, minor response,         partial response, or complete response)

Eligibility:

-   -   Documented AML by peripheral blood and bone marrow analyses         meeting WHO criteria, excluding patients with acute         promyelocytic leukemia (APL)         -   Patients with AML refractory to primary induction             chemotherapy, relapsed disease, or age ≥60 and not             appropriate for standard cytotoxic therapy due to age,             performance status, and/or adverse risk factors according to             the treating physician         -   Age ≥18 years         -   Karnofsky performance status ≥50% or ECOG performance status             0-2         -   Life expectancy ≥6 weeks

While certain embodiments have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may be employed in practicing the embodiments. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protein that binds to human CD33 and human CD3, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, each polypeptide having at least four variable chain domains linked one after another, wherein each polypeptide comprises (i) a variable heavy chain (VH) domain specific to human CD33; (ii) a variable light chain (VL) domain specific to human CD33; (iii) a VH domain specific for human CD3, and (iv) a VL domain specific for human CD3, and wherein in each polypeptide, the four variable chain domains are linked with one after another by peptide linkers L1, L2 and L3 in the order: VL(CD3)-L1-VH(CD33)-L2-VL(CD33)-L3-VH(CD3); VH(CD3)-L1-VL(CD33)-L2-VH(CD33)-L3-VL(CD3); VL(CD33)-L1-VH(CD3)-L2-VL(CD3)-L3-VH(CD33); or VH(CD33)-L1-VL(CD3)-L2-VH(CD3)-L3-VL(CD33), wherein the VL domain specific to human CD33 comprises a CDR1 comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:21-27, a CDR2 comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:28-34 and a CDR3 comprising a sequence selected from the of the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:35-41, and wherein the VH domain specific to human CD33 comprises a CDR1 comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:42-48, a CDR2 comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:49-55 and a CDR3 comprising a sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:56-63.
 2. The protein of claim 1, wherein the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of the VL domain specific to human CD33 comprise sequences selected from the group consisting of: (i) SEQ ID NOs: 21, 28 and 35, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 22, 29 and 36, respectively, (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 23, 30 and 37, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 24, 31 and 38, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 25, 32 and 39, respectively; (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 26, 33 and 40, respectively, and (vii) SEQ ID NOs: 27, 34 and 41, respectively.
 3. The protein of claim 1, wherein the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of the VH domain specific to CD33 comprise sequences selected from the group consisting of: (i) SEQ ID NOs: 42, 49 and 56, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 43, 50 and 57, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 43, 50 and 58, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 43, 50 and 59, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 43, 50 and 60, respectively; (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 44, 51 and 61, respectively; (vii) SEQ ID NOs: 45, 52 and 62, respectively; (viii) SEQ ID NOs: 46, 53 and 63, respectively; (ix) SEQ ID NOs: 47, 54 and 63, respectively; and (x) SEQ ID NOs: 48, 55 and 63, respectively.
 4. The protein of claim 1, wherein the VL and VH domains specific to CD33 comprise sequences selected from the group consisting of: (i) SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:11, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:13, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:14, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NO:5 and SEQ ID NO:15, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:16, respectively; (vi) SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:17, respectively; (vii) SEQ ID NO:8 and SEQ ID NO:18, respectively; (viii) SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:19, respectively; and (ix) SEQ ID NO:10 and SEQ ID NO:20, respectively.
 5. The protein of claim 1, wherein the VH domain specific for human CD3 comprises a CDR1 comprising the sequence STYAMN (SEQ ID NO:72), a CDR2 comprising the sequence RIRSKYNNYATYYADSVKD (SEQ ID NO:73) and a CDR3 comprising the sequence HGNFGNSYVSWFAY (SEQ ID NO:74) or comprising the sequence HGNFGNSYVSYFAY (SEQ ID NO:75).
 6. The protein of claim 1, wherein the VL domain specific for human CD3 comprises a CDR1 comprising the sequence RSSTGAVTTSNYAN (SEQ ID NO:90), a CDR2 comprising the sequence GTNKRAP (SEQ ID NO:91), and a CDR3 comprising the sequence ALWYSNL (SEQ ID NO:92).
 7. The protein of claim 1, wherein the VL and VH domains specific to CD3 comprise sequences selected from the group consisting of: (i) SEQ ID NO:64 and SEQ ID NO:68, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NO:65 and SEQ ID NO:69, respectively, (iii) SEQ ID NO:66 and SEQ ID NO:70, respectively; and (iv) SEQ ID NO:67 and SEQ ID NO:71, respectively.
 8. The protein of claim 1, wherein a VL domain specific to human CD33, the VH domain specific to human CD33, the VH domain specific for human CD3, and the VL domain specific for human CD3 comprise sequences selected from the group consisting of: (i) SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 65 and 69, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 65 and 69, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 65 and 69, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs:1, 11, 64 and 68, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 66 and 70, respectively; (vi) SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 66 and 70, respectively; (vii) SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 64 and 68, respectively; (viii) SEQ ID NOs:3, 13, 67 and 71, respectively; (ix) SEQ ID NOs:4, 14, 64 and 68, respectively; (x) SEQ ID NOs:5, 15, 64 and 68, respectively; (xi) SEQ ID NOs:7, 17, 64 and 68, respectively; (xii) SEQ ID NOs:6, 16, 64 and 68, respectively; (xiii) SEQ ID NOs:6, 16, 67 and 71, respectively; (xiv) SEQ ID NOs:8, 18, 64 and 68, respectively; (xv) SEQ ID NOs:9, 19, 64 and 68, respectively; (xvi) SEQ ID NOs:9, 19, 67 and 71, respectively; and (xvii) SEQ ID NOs:10, 20, 64 and 68, respectively.
 9. The protein of claim 1, wherein linkers L1, L2 and L3 consist of about 12 or less amino acid residues.
 10. The protein of claim 1, wherein linkers L1, L2 and L3 are each independently selected from GGSGGS (SEQ ID NO:95), GGSG (SEQ ID NO:96) or GGSGG (SEQ ID NO:97).
 11. The protein of claim 1, wherein linkers L1 and L3 are GGSGGS (SEQ ID NO:95) and linker L2 is GGSG (SEQ ID NO:96) or GGSGG (SEQ ID NO:97).
 12. The protein of any of claims 1-11, wherein the four variable chain domains are linked with one after another by peptide linkers L1, L2 and L3 in the order: VL(CD3)-L1-VH(CD33)-L2-VL(CD33)-L3-VH(CD3). 